r\i 


MEMORANDUM 

WRITTEN    BY 

WILLIAM    BOTCH 

IN    THE    EIGHTIETH     YEAR 

OF    H  I  S    AGE. 


WILLIAM  HUTCH 

From  a  painting  m-rritml  to  ,}ftirr?iant  in  the  pom* 
of  Mi»s  Emma  llodmun 


MEMORANDUM 

WRITTEN 
BY 

£HUUam  Motel) 

IN    THE    EIGHTIETH    YEAR 

OF    H  IS    AGE. 


BOSTON    AND     NEWYORK 

HOUOHTON    MIFFLIN    COMPANY 

1916 


Copyright,  1916,  by  Houghton  Mifflin  Company 
All  rights  reserved 

Published  June  1916 


f  THIS  EDITION  IS  LIMITED  TO  FOUR  HUNDRED 
AND  FIFTY  COPIES  PRINTED  AT  THE  RIVERSIDE 
PRESS,  CAMBRIDGE,  MASSACHUSETTS,  U.  8.  A. 


PREFATORY      NOTE. 


THOUGH  a  man  of  some  prominence  in  his 
day  and  a  member  of  a  family  still  well 
known  and  honored  in  Massachusetts,  the 
writer  of  this  "  Memorandum  "  is  unnoticed  in 
most  books  of  reference,  and  it  seems  fitting 
to  preface  his  reminiscences  on  their  first  ap- 
pearance in  book  form  with  a  brief  account  of 
his  life. 

William  Rotch  was  a  Nantucket  Quaker, 
born  on  the  island,  October  15, 1734.  He  car- 
ried on  a  large  whaliug  and  shipping  business 
in  Nantucket,  which  was  for  many  years  the 
third  largest  port  of  New  England.  Though  he 
was  a  map  of  peace,  his  fortunes  were  closely 
connected  with  the  fortunes  of  war.  While 


1210096 


PREFATORY      NOTE 

visiting  London  in  1773  he  chartered  three  of 
his  ships  to  the  East  India  Company,  and 
these  ships  —  the  Dartmouth,  the  Beaver,  and 
the  Bedford  —  brought  the  tea  to  Boston  and 
furnished  the  scene  of  the  "  Boston  Tea  Party," 
one  of  the  early  outbreaks  of  the  revolutionary 
spirit  in  New  England.  When  the  Revolution 
actually  came  it  made  serious  trouble  for  the 
peace-loving  inhabitants  of  Nantucket,  who  did 
their  best  to  preserve  their  neutrality  and  keep 
the  whaling  industry  alive  to  supply  the  world 
with  oil.  How  William  Rotch  met  these  diffi- 
culties he  himself  relates  in  his  "  Memoran- 
dum." He  was  successful  both  during  and 
after  the  war,  and  his  ship  Bedford  was  the 
first  vessel  to  carry  the  American  flag  into  a 
British  port,  when,  on  February  6,  1783,  she 
reported  at  the  London  custom-house  with  a 
cargo  of  oil.  There  is  a  story  that  one  of 
her  crew,  a  hunchback,  while  on  shore  one 
day,  was  clapped  on  the  back  by  a  British 
sailor,  who  said,  "  Hello,  Jack,  what  have 
[  vi  ] 


PREFATORY      NOTE 

you  got  here?"  to  which  the  Yankee  replied, 
"  Bunker  Hill,  and  be  d — d  to  you  !  " 

It  may  be  worth  while  to  note  that  William 
Kotch's  son  Benjamin,  who  accompanied  his 
father  on  his  mission  to  England  and  France, 
related  two  interesting  anecdotes  which  are  not 
included  in  the  "  Memorandum."  One  of  these 
is  to  the  effect  that  when  Mr.  Rotch  had  com- 
pleted his  arrangements  for  sailing  to  France, 
Lord  Hawkesbury  sent  word  to  him  desiring 
another  interview,  and  that  the  Quaker's  reply 
was  as  follows  :  "  If  Lord  Hawkesbury  wishes 
to  meet  William  Rotch,  he  will  find  him  on 
board  the  ship  Maria  until  the  hour  when  the 
ship  takes  her  anchor."  The  other  story  is 
that,  during  the  visit  to  the  royal  chapel  in 
Paris,  the  king  himself,  who  shared  the  pre- 
vailing curiosity  to  see  the  wealthy  Quaker, 
was  present  incog. 

As  related  in  the  "Memorandum,"  William 
Rotch  in  1795  removed  to  New  Bedford,  which 
was  afterwards  for  many  years  the  leading 


PREFATORY      NOTE 

whaling  port  of  the  world.  Here  he  lived  until 
his  death  on  May  16,  1828.  He  was  a  man  of 
the   highest   principles,  much  respected   and 
loved  wherever  he  was  known. 
BOSTON,  April,  1916. 


CONTENTS. 


MEMORANDUM  WRITTEN  BY  WILLIAM  ROTCH 1 

PETITION  OF  THE   QUAKERS   TO  THE   FRENCH   NA- 
TIONAL ASSEMBLY 70 

ANSWER  OP  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY     ...  78 

COPY  OF  THOMAS  JENKINS'S  COMPLAINT          82 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


WILLIAM  ROTCH Frontispiece 

From  a  painting  ascribed  to  Dalton  Edward  Mar- 
chant,  reproduced  through  the  courtesy  of  the  owner, 
Miss  Emma  Rodman,  of  Boston 

THE  COUNTING-HOUSE  OF  WILLIAM  ROTCH  &  SONS  AT 
THE  FOOT  or  MAIM  STREET,  NANTUCKET     8 

BUILT  IN  1772  BY  WILLIAM  ROTCH  &  SONS  AND  OC- 
CUPIED BY  THEM  TILL  1796,  WHEN  THEY  REMOVED 
TO  NEW  BEDFORD.  SINCE  1?61  THE  LOWER  FLOOR 
HAS  BEEN  USED  BY  THE  PACIFIC  CLUB,  A  CLUB 
ORGANIZED  BY  VETERAN  WHALING  CAPTAINS. 

THE    ROTCH  (ROACH)  FLEET  AMONG  A  SCHOOL    OF 
SPERM  WHALES  OFF  THE  COAST  OF  HAWAII        ...    16 

THE  SHIPS  ARE  THE  ENTERPRISE,  WILLIAM  ROACH, 
POCAHONTA8,  AND  HOUQUA. 

WILLIAM  ROTCH         24 

From  a  wax  medallion  by  Ball  Hughes 

THE  SHIP  MARIA,  IN  WHICH  WILLIAM  ROTCH  BAILED 
TO  LONDON  IN  1785         36 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

THE  CHASE— SPERM- WHALING  SCENE     48 

From  a  rare  New  Bedford  Print 

CAPTURING  A  SPERM  WHALB    58 

From  a  very  rare  print 

NEW  BEDFORD  ABOUT  1800        68 

SHOWING  WILLIAM  ROTCH's  MANSION,  AND  WIL- 
LIAM ROTCH  HIMSELF  IN  HIS  CHAISE,  THE  ONLY 
PRIVATE  CARRIAGE  THEN  KEPT  IN  THE  TOWN. 
FROM  A  PRINT  ENTITLED  "  NEW  BEDFORD  FIFTY 
YEARS  AGO  "  MADE  IN  1858. 

MlRABEAU 78 

From  an  engraving  by  T.  Johnson  after  a  pastel  by 
Michel  Honort  Bounieu 


MEMORANDUM 

WRITTEN    BY 

WILLIAM    ROTCH 

IN    THE    EIGHTIETH     YEAR 

OF    H  IS    AGE. 


MEMORANDUM 

WRITTEN     15  Y 

WILLIAM    KOTCH 

IN    THE 
EIGHTIETH   YEAR   OF   HIS   AGE. 


A  FRIEND  of  mine  has  repeatedly  requested 
me  to  put  on  paper  some  of  the  occur- 
rences of  about  Twenty  Years  of  my  life  from 
1775  to  1794  which  he  had  heard  me  relate  in 
conversation. 

When  the  Revolutionary  \Var  begun  in  1775 

I  saw  clearly  that  the  only  line  of  conduct  to 

be  pursued  by  us,  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Island 

of  Nantucket  was  to  take  no  part  in  the  contest, 

C     i     ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

and  to  endeavor  to  give  no  occasion  of  offence 
to  either  of  the  contending  Powers. 

A  great  portion  of  the  Inhabitants  were  of 
the  Denomination  of  Friends,  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  considerate  of  other  Societies  united 
in  the  opinion  that  our  safety  was  in  a  state 
of  Neutrality  as  far  as  it  could  be  obtained, 
though  we  had  no  doubt  that  suffering  would 
be  our  lot,  which  we  often  experienced  from 
both  parties.  Our  situation  was  rendered  more 
difficult  by  having  a  few  restless  Spirits  amongst 
us,  who  had  nothing  to  lose,  and  who  were  often 
thwarting  our  pacific  plan,  and  subjecting  us 
to  danger,  not  caring  what  confusion  they 
brought  upon  us,  if  they  could  get  something 
in  the  scramble. 

My  own  trials  begun  soon  after  the  War 
broke  out.  In  the  year  1764  I  had  taken  the 
Goods  of  a  Merchant  in  Boston,  deceased  in- 
solvent, who  was  Deeply  indebted  to  me. 

Among  these  were  a  number  of  muskets, 
some  with,  and  others  without  bayonets.  The 
C  2  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

straights  of  Belleisle  opened  a  new  field  for  the 
Whale  Fishery,  where  wild  fowl  were  abun- 
dant, and  my  Guns  met  with  a  rapid  sale.  When- 
ever those  with  Bayonets  were  chosen,  I  took 
that  Instrument  from  them.  The  purchaser 
would  insist  on  having  it,  as  an  appendage 
belonging  to  the  Gun,  and  I  as  strenuously 
withheld  it,  and  laid  them  all  by.  Many  Years 
afterwards  I  removed  to  another  store,  leaving 
much  rubbish  in  the  one  I  had  left.  Among 
the  rubbish  were  these  Bayonets,  neglected  and 
forgotten ;  until  the  War  commenced,  when  to 
my  surprise  they  were  brought  into  view  by 
an  application  for  them,  made  by  a  person  from 
the  Continent. 

The  time  was  now  come  to  endeavor  to  sup- 
port our  Testimony  against  War,  or  abandon 
it,  as  this  very  instrument  was  a  severe  test.  I 
could  not  hesitate  which  to  choose,  and  there- 
fore denied  the  applicant.  My  reason  for  not 
furnishing  them  was  demanded,  to  which  I 
readily  answered,  "  As  this  instrument  is  pur- 
C  3  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

posely  made  and  used  for  the  destruction  of 
mankind,  I  can  put  no  weapon  into  a  man's 
hand  to  destroy  another,  that  I  cannot  use  my- 
self in  the  same  way  "  —  The  person  left  me 
much  dissatisfied.  Others  came,  and  received 
the  same  denial.  It  made  a  great  noise  in  the 
Country,  and  my  life  was  threatened.  I  would 
gladly  have  beaten  them  into  "  pruning  hooks," 
but  I  took  an  early  opportunity  of  throwing 
them  into  the  sea. 

A  short  time  after  I  was  called  before  a 
Committee  appointed  by  the  Court  then  held 
at  Watertown  near  Boston,  and  questioned 
amongst  other  things  respecting  my  Bayonets. 

I  gave  a  full  account  of  my  proceedings,  and 
closed  it  with  saying,  "  I  sunk  them  in  the  bot- 
tom of  the  sea,  I  did  it  from  principle,  I  have 
ever  been  glad  that  I  had  done  it,  and  if  I  am 
wrong  I  am  to  be  pitied."  The  Chairman  of 
the  Committee  Major  Hawley  (a  worthy  char- 
acter) then  addressed  the  Committee,  and  said 
"  I  believe  Mr.  Rotch  has  given  us  a  candid 
C  4  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

account,  and  everyman  has  a  right  to  act  con- 
sistently with  his  religious  principles,  but  I  am 
sorry  that  we  could  not  have  the  Bayonets,  for 
we  want  them  very  much." 

The  Major  was  desirous  of  knowing  more  of 
our  principles  on  which  I  informed  him  as  far 
as  he  enquired. 

One  of  the  Committee  in  a  pert  manner 
observed  "then  your  principles  are  passive 
Obedience  and  non-resistance."  I  replied  "  No 
my  friend,  our  principles  are  active  Obedience, 
or  passive  suffering."  I  had  passed  this  no 
small  trial  respecting  my  Bayonets,  but  the 
clamor  against  me  long  continued. 

From  the  Year  1775  to  the  end  of  the  War, 
we  were  in  continual  embarrassments — Our 
Vessels  captured  by  the  English,  and  our  small 
vessels  and  boats  sent  to  the  various  parts  of 
the  Continent  for  provisions,  denied,  and  sent 
back  empty,  under  pretence  that  we  supplied 
the  British,  which  was  without  the  least  founda- 
tion. Prohibitory  Laws  were  often  made  in 
C  6  3 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

consequence  of  these  unfounded  reports.  By 
this  inhuman  conduct  we  were  sometimes  in 
danger  of  being  starved.  One  of  these  Laws 
was  founded  on  an  information  from  Governor 
Trumbull  of  Connecticut,  who  had  been  im- 
posed upon  respecting  our  conduct  in  supply- 
ing the  British. 

I  wrote  to  the  Governor  on  the  subject,  and 
laid  our  distress  very  home  to  him,  assuring 
him  at  the  same  time  that  nothing  of  that  kind 
had  taken  place.  He  was  convinced  of  his  error, 
and  was  ever  after  very  kind  in  assisting  us 
within  his  jurisdiction. 

But  there  were  so  many  petty  Officers,  as 
Committees  of  Safety,  Inspection,  etc.  in  all 
parts,  and  too  many  of  them  chosen  much  upon 
the  principle  of  Jeroboam's  Priests,  that  we 
were  sorely  afflicted. 

It  was  about  the  year  1778  when  the  current 

in  the  Country  was  very  strong  against  us  at 

Nantucket,  the  vessels  we  sent  after  provisions, 

sent  back  empty,  and  great  suffering  for  want 

C      6      ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

of  food  was  likely  to  take  place,  that  the  people 
who  thought  we  ought  to  have  joined  in  the 
War  (not  Friends)  began  to  chide  and  mur- 
mur against  me.  They  considered  me  the  prin- 
cipal cause  that  we  did  not  unite  in  the  War 
(which  I  knew  was  measureably  the  case,) 
when  we  might  have  been  plentifully  supplied, 
but  were  now  likely  to  starve,  little  considering 
that  if  we  had  taken  a  part,  there  was  nothing  but 
supernatural  aid  (which  we  had  no  reason  to  ex- 
pect) that  could  have  prevented  our  destruction. 
Though  I  had  done  everything  in  my  power 
for  our  preservation,  this  murmuring  of  the 
people  operated  so  severely  upon  my  spirits, 
that  I  was  once  (a  time  never  to  be  forgotten) 
on  the  point  of  asking  of  that  Divine  Being 
who  gave  me  life,  that  he  would  take  it  from 
me,  for  my  affliction  seemed  more  than  I  could 
bear.  But  being  restrained  by  that  good  hand, 
which  had  so  often  been  my  deliverer,  after 
shedding  a  flood  of  tears,  my  mind  was  more 
easy,  and  my  spirit  revived. 
[  7  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

In  the  Year  1779  seven  armed  Vessels  and 
Transports  with  soldiers  from  Newport  came  to 
us,  the  latter  commanded  by  George  Leonard, 
an  American,  as  were  his  troops  in  general, 
having  joined  the  English.  They  plundered  us 
of  much  property,  some  from  me,  but  a  con- 
siderable amount  from  Thomas  Jenkins.  While 
they  were  plundering  his  store,  I  attempted  to 
pass  the  Guard  they  had  set,  being  desirous  to 
see  Leonard,  and  intercede  with  him  to  desist. 
But  the  Guard  arrested  my  progress  with  the 
Bayonet.  After  some  time  Timothy  Folger  suc- 
ceeded in  speaking  to  him,  and  advised  him  to 
go  off,  for  the  people  would  not  bear  it  much 
longer.  He  took  the  hint,  and  retired  much 
enraged. 

We  soon  had  information  that  Leonard  &  Co. 
were  preparing  another  and  a  more  formidable 
expedition  to  visit  us.  The  Town  was  convened 
to  consult  what  measures  should  be  taken  in  this 
trying  emergency,  which  resulted  in  sending 
Dr.  Benjamin  Tupper,  Samuel  Starbuck  and 
[  8  J 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

myself  to  Newport,  to  represent  our  case  to 
the  Commanders  of  the  Navy  and  Army.  We 
arrived  in  the  harbor  of  Newport,  where  Cap- 
tain Dawson  commanded  the  Navy,  and  Gen- 
eral Prescott  the  Army. 

But  the  American  Refugees  had  made  in- 
terest with  the  General  not  to  suffer  us  to  land, 
and  we  were  ordered  by  Dawson  to  depart. 
We  interceded  with  him  to  let  us  stay  a  little 
longer,  for  we  found  the  Expedition  was  pro- 
gressing rapidly,  and  unless  we  could  arrest  it, 
it  would  be  in  vain  to  proceed  to  New  York. 
Dawson  by  request  of  General  Prescott,  under 
the  influence  of  the  Refugees,  ordered  our  im- 
mediate departure  again.  Dr.  Tupper  now  for 
the  first  time  went  on  board,  and  in  his  plain 
blunt  way,  after  the  usual  ceremony  of  entry, 
addressed  him  in  this  manner  — 

"  You  order  us  to  depart.    We  cannot  be 

frightened  away,  nor  will  we  depart.  We  know 

the  extent  of  your  authority.  You  may  make 

a  prize  of  our  vessel,  and  imprison  us  —  much 

[      9      ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

better  for  us  to  be  thus  treated,  than  to  be  sent 
away.  We  came  here  for  peace,  and  you  ought 
to  encourage  everything  of  this  kind,"  etc. 

His  reasons  made  such  an  impression  on 

Captain  Dawson,  that  he  gave  us  liberty  to 

stay  as  long  as  we  pleased The  Refugee 

Boat  came  several  times  to  us,  to  get  us  [to  go] 

off We  insisted  on  going  on  shore,  but 

they  as  often  refused  us.  After  this  conversa- 
tion with  Dawsou,  the  Boat  came  again,  and 
Dr.  Tupper  insisted  that  he  would  go  on  shore 

They  still  denied  him  unless  he  intended 

to  stay  with  them.  As  he  was  not  always  ex- 
act in  his  expressions,  to  answer  his  purpose 
he  says  "  Well,  I  am  going  to  stay,"  and  al- 
most forcibly  got  into  their  Boat,  and  went  on 
shore,  being  satisfied  that  if  he  could  once  see 
the  General,  he  could  in  this  respect  destroy 
the  influence  of  the  Refugees.  He  accordingly 
got  liberty  for  Samuel  Starbuck  to  come  on 
shore,  and  the  next  day  for  me  to  follow.  We 
found  it  necessary  to  be  in  friendship  with  the 
[  10  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

Refugees,  that  if  possible  we  might  stop  the 
current  of  their  intended  predatory  visit. 

I  got  on  shore  in  the  afternoon,  and  found 

that  I  must  wait  on  General  Prescot. 

Knowing  his  brittle  temper,  and  it  being  in  the 
afternoon  I  almost  dreaded  to  appear  in  his 
presence.  However,  let  my  treatment  be  what 
it  would,  I  wished  it  over  and  accordingly 
went. 

I  was  introduced  to  him  by  one  of  his  Aids 
—  He  received  me  very  cordially,  gave  me  his 
hand, and  said  "Mr.  Botch  will  you  have  some 

dinner  ? 1  can  give  you  good  bread,  though 

the  Rebels  say  we  have  none."  I  thanked  him 

saying  I  had  dined "  Well,  will  you  take 

a  glass  of  wine?  "  I  answered  "  I  have  no  ob- 
jection if  thou  canst  put  up  with  my  plain 

way  " The  glass  was  filled,  with  his  own, 

and  those  of  all  the  Officers  at  table as  a 

stranger  introduced,  they  all  drank  to  me  be- 
fore I  put  the  glass  to  my  lips 1  then  ob- 
served to  the  General,  "  As  I  mentioned  before 
C  "  3 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

if  thou  couldst  put  up  with  my  plain  way,  I 
was  willing  to  take  wine  with  thee,  but  as  we 
as  a  society  disuse  these  ceremonies,  I  have 
always  found  it  best  to  keep  to  my  profession, 
let  me  be  in  what  Company  I  may.  Therefore 
I  hope  my  not  making  a  like  return  will  not 
be  accepted  as  any  mark  of  disrespect,  for  I 
assure  thee  it  is  not  the  case."  His  answer 
was,  "Oh,  no,  if  a  Quaker  will  but  be  a 

Quaker,  it  is  all  I  want  of  him  —  But is  no 

Quaker  " (naming  one  of  our  profession) 

and  I  was  sorry  for  the  cause  of  his  remark. 

After  some  conversation,  I  mentioned  that 
I  did  not  wish  to  intrude  further  on  his  time, 
and  rose  to  retire  —  "Oh  no,"  says  he,  "you 
must  take  Coffee."  I  accordingly  stopped.  He 
was  full  of  conversation  respecting  the  siege  of 
the  Americans,  and  made  it  a  very  trifling 
thing.  I  then  mentioned  (the  French  Fleet  be- 
ing at  that  time  before  the  Town)  that  twelve 
capital  ships  being  before  the  Town  we  thought 
was  much  against  them. 

C     12     ] 


AV  I  L  L  I  A  M      11  O  T  C  H 

"  To  be  sure,"  said  he, "  it  is  not  very  pleas- 
ant, but  we  do  not  mind  them." 

I  then  gladly  got  away.  We  applied  to  Ma- 
jor \Vinslow  formerly  of  Plymouth  to  intro- 
duce us  to  Colonel  Fanning  who  was  the  prin- 
cipal. When  we  mentioned  our  situation,  that 
we  were  likely  to  be  destroyed,  the  Colonel 
was  very  high,  saying  we  might  join  the  Eng- 
lish then We  observed  that  such  a  step 

would  inevitably  destroy  us. "  Well,  said 

he,  I  have  been  destroyed  also" —  (I  believe 
he  was  Governor  of  North  Carolina  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  War)  —  Major  Winslow  en- 
deavored to  soften  him  by  representing  our 
peculiar  situation,  but  there  seemed  little  pros- 
pect of  anything  favorable  when  we  parted. 
They  had  a  Board  of  Refugees  established, 
Colonel  Fanning  President,  who  would  hear  us 
when  they  met.  We  accordingly  attended,  and 
found  Fanning  very  mild,  and  disposed  to  alle- 
viate our  sufferings  —  and  as  we  proposed 
applying  to  the  Commanders  in  New  York,  we 
[  13  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

asked  if  they  would  put  off  their  expedition, 
until  they  could  know  the  result  of  our  mission 
there. 

Fanning  thought  this  reasonable,  and  put 

the  question  to  all  the  Principals  there 

They  readily  agreed  until  it  came  to  Leonard, 
who  very  reluctantly  gave  his  assent.  ^ 

We  then  proceeded  to  New  York,  and  ap- 
plied to  the  Commanders,  Commodore  Sir 
George  Collier  of  the  Navy,  and  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  of  the  Army.  On  representing  our 
case  to  Sir  George,  he  readily  gave  us  an 
Order,  forbidding  any  British  armed  Vessel  to 
take  any  thing  out  of  our  harbor.  This  was  a 
great  relief. 

I  then  laid  before  him  the  state  of  our  cap- 
tured seamen,  that  all  the  exchange  of  prison- 
ers at  that  time  was  partial,  that  as  we  made 
no  prisoners,  we  had  none  to  exchange,  conse- 
quently ours  remained  in  the  Prison  Ships  until 
they  mostly  died.  On  his  understanding  the 
reasonableness  of  the  request,  he  ordered  that 
C  14  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

all  our  men  should  be  released  that  were  not 
taken  in  armed  vessels  (for  such  we  had  no 
right  to  apply)  and  that  it  should  not  be  so  in 
future  as  long  as  he  had  the  command. 

We  also  applied  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
through  one  of  his  Aids.  (Major  Andre"  that 
fine  young  man  who  lost  his  life  as  a  Spy.) 
We  could  get  no  written  order  from  him,  but 
he  intimated  that  he  would  direct  that  those  in 
his  department  should  not  molest  us,  which  no 
doubt  he  did,  as  they  gave  over  their  expedi- 
tion, and  we  had  a  little  quiet,  until  Sir  George 
Collier's  command  was  superceded  by  the  ar- 
rival of  Admiral  Arbuthnot,  and  the  shaving 
mills  then  came  upon  us. 

Timothy  Folger  was  then  sent  to  New  York, 
and  he  obtained  a  like  Order  as  that  from  Sir 
George  Collier.  Added  to  this,  he  got  Permits 
for  a  few  vessels,  about  fifteen,  to  whale  on 
our  Coast,  which  were  successful,  but  it  was 
with  great  difficulty  that  distinction  could  be 
made  between  British  and  American  armed 
[  15  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

vessels,  as  the  latter  would  make  prize  of  us  if 
British  Permits  were  found. 

I  now  come  to  the  most  trying  scene  in  my 
experience  during  the  War,  —  which  was  being 
with  four  others  impeached  for  High  Treason 
by  Thomas  Jenkins,  where  there  was  no  step 
between  being  clear,  and  death. 

The  laws  of  this  state  at  that  time  made  it 
high  treason  for  any  person  to  go  to  a  British 
Port  without  the  consent  of  the  Court. 

We  were  well  assured  that  if  we  applied  we 
should  be  refused,  and  if  we  did  not  apply  to 
the  British,  we  should  from  every  appearance 
be  destroyed  by  them.  Under  serious  consider- 
ation I  was  willing  to  be  joined  to  the  two 
others  before  mentioned  and  proceed,  as  with 
our  lives  in  our  hands.  This  was  made  one  of 
the  great  charges  among  others  in  the  Im- 
peachment, a  copy  of  which  will  be  annexed. 

We  were  examined  before  a  Committee  of 
the  Court  on  the  Impeachment,  but  knowing 
we  were  to  appear  again  when  the  witnesses 
[      16      ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

should  attend,  we  made  no  defence,  which  we 
afterwards  found  was  an  error  in  judgment. 

By  this  means  the  Court  thought  us  guilty, 
and  were  about  making  out  an  Order  to  the 
Grand  Jury,  to  find  a  Bill  against  us  and  com- 
mit us  to  Prison,  which  if  it  had  taken  place 
would  have  been  in  the  severe  winter  of  1780. 

But  happily  my  much  valued  friend  Walter 
Spooner  Esqr,  a  member  of  the  Court,  just 
then  arrived,  perceived  the  business  before 
the  Court,  and  came  to  us  for  information. 
We  told  him  we  had  reserved  our  defence  for 
the  second  examination.  He  considered  us  in 
an  error,  and  said  we  must  send  for  Jenkins 
who  resided  at  Lynn,  and  have  another  exam- 
ination, and  he  would  get  the  Court  to  stay 
their  proceeding  until  this  should  be  done. 

We  accordingly  all  met  before  the  Commit- 
tee, General  Ward  a  worthy  character  in  the 
Chair. 

It  was  put  to  me  first  to  answer  to  the  high 
charges.  (When  I  rose  he  politely  told  me  I 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

need  not  rise  —  I  thanked  him,  but  my  heart 
was  so  full  that  my  tongue  seemed  incapable 
of  utterance  while  sitting.)  I  answered  to  the 
charges  in  such  a  manner  as  fully  to  convince 
the  Committee  of  our  innocence  —  When  it 
was  finished,  the  Chairman,  I  have  no  doubt 
from  a  desire  to  put  our  minds  at  ease,  asked 
me  when  we  expected  to  return  home  —  I  re- 
plied that  he  could  better  judge  of  that  than 
I  could  —  (being  now  in  custody)  —  He  then 
asked  me  if  I  would  take  the  supeneas  for  the 
witnesses  to  Nantucket,  and  deliver  them  to 
the  sheriff.  This  was  also  to  console  our  minds. 
I  answered  in  the  affirmative  if  he  thought 
proper  to  entrust  me  with  them.  I  accordingly 
took  and  delivered  them. 

In  the  spring  following  we  appeared  again 
with  Twelve  out  of  Twenty  witnesses,  who 
were  all  I  could  get  to  attend,  and  then  had 
another  full  examination. 

Before  we  entered  upon  it  I  desired  liberty 
to  ask  Jenkins  a  question,  which  was  granted. 
C  18  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

Some  of  his  friends  had  propagated  a  report, 
that  I  had  offered  him  money,  if  he  would 
withdraw  his  Complaint.  I  then  put  the  ques- 
tion to  him,  whether  I  had  ever  made  him  any 
offer  of  the  kind  —  But  it  irritated  him  —  I 
therefore  went  no  further  in  a  question  to 
him,  but  desired  liberty  to  make  my  declara- 
tion, before  we  entered  on  the  charges  in  the 
complaint,  which  was  readily  granted.  I  then 
said,  "  I  now  declare  in  the  most  solemn  man- 
ner, that  I  never  have,  directly  or  indirectly, 
by  myself,  or  by  any  person  for  me,  proposed 
or  offered  one  farthing  to  Thomas  Jenkins 
to  withdraw,  or  in  any  way  to  mitigate  the 
charges  in  his  complaint  now  exhibited." 

I  looked  over  the  charges,  and  made  my 
Defence  Article  by  Article  —  and  when  I  had 
gone  through  the  whole,  I  observed  to  the 
Committee,  that  if  I  had  not  answered  clearly 
to  their  satisfaction,  if  they  would  put  any 
question  that  they  thought  would  throw  more 
light  on  the  subject,  I  would  answer  it  without 
'  [  19  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

equivocation  or  mental  reservation.  The  Chair- 
man General  Ward  made  me  a  low  bow,  and 
asked  no  question,  by  which  they  appeared 
satisfied. 

They  then  took  the  Complaint,  and  exam- 
ined the  witnesses,  one  by  one  upon  each 
charge  — "  What  do  you  know  of  this  Mr 
such  a  one  ? "  (reading  the  Charge)  "  noth- 
ing "  —  and  so  to  the  next,  and  throughout 
the  whole  charges,  and  the  whole  Witnesses, 
when  "nothing"  was  the  universal  answer, 
except  from  Marshall  Jenkins —  He  began 
to  tell  what  the  Refugees  told  him  at  the 
Vineyard  when  they  returned  from  Nan- 
tucket. 

The  Chairman  stopped  him,  and  said, "  were 
you  at  Nantucket  ?  "  He  answered  "  no  "  — 
"  Then  you  can  give  no  evidence." 

One  charge  against  me  was  corresponding 

with  the  Enemy.   This  correspondence  was  a 

letter  given  to  Ebenezer  Coffin,  addressed  to 

General  Prescot,   requesting  the   release   of 

[     20     ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

his  son,  and  assuring  him  that  he  had  not 
been  in  an  armed  vessel. 

This  same  Ebenezer  acquainted  his  Brother 
Alexander  that  I  had  furnished  him  with  this 
letter,  who  used  his  utmost  against  me. 

The  Committee  were  composed  of  the  two 
Branches,  the  House  and  Senate,  who  reported 
to  their  several  Departments.  The  House 
then  took  the  vote  and  cleared  us  fully  except 
one  single  vote.  But  the  Senate  in  their  vote 
held  us  —  The  House  then  desired  the  Sen- 
ate to  appoint  a  Committee  of  conference,  and 
they  would  do  the  same.  They  met,  and  re- 
ported, each  Branch  adhering  to  their  former 
vote. 

Thus  we  were  discharged  by  the  House,  and 
held  by  the  Senate,  (but  not  detained)  and  so 
it  remained  until  we  were  set  at  liberty  by 
the  Peace. 

In  the  Complaint  I  was  charged  with  being 
the  means  of  preventing  a  Brig  which  had 
much  of  Jenkins's  property  on  board  from 
[  21  ] 


being  re-taken —  I  suppose  that  was  the 
case,  by  reasoning  with  the  Owners  of  the 
Vessel  then  present. 

The  seven  armed  vessels  had  now  gone  over 
the  Bar,  and  anchored,  waiting  for  the  flowing 
of  the  tide  to  take  the  Brig  out —  It  was 
then  suggested  by  some  hot-headed  men,  that 
they  could  re-take  her —  I  admitted  it,  but 
asked  the  Owners  if  it  would  be  an  even  stake, 
observing  "they  have  now  got  what  they 
will  take  at  this  time,  and  if  this  vessel  is 
stopped,  it  will  bring  the  whole  seven  armed 
vessels  into  the  harbor  again,  and  no  doubt 
the  destruction  of  the  Town  will  be  the  conse- 
quence "  —  For  there  was  no  effective  force 
to  prevent  it.  "  If  you  (the  Owners)  will  let 
her  go,  I  am  willing  to  contribute  to  the  loss 
of  Vessel  and  Goods  on  board,  in  the  same 
proportion  that  I  should  pay  in  a  Tax  of  equal 
amount  "  —  A  great  number  of  people  were 
present,  who  generally  united  in  the  proposal. 
The  Owners  let  the  Vessel  go,  and  I  con- 
C  22  ] 


AVIL.LIAM      BOTCH 

tributed  Seven  Hundred  and  Twenty  dollars 
toward  the  loss  of  the  property,  which  was 
more  than  double  my  proportion  of  a  like 
Tax. 

When  this  circumstance  was  known  while 
we  were  in  Boston,  it  raised  great  indignation 
against  Jenkins,  that  such  a  charge  should  be 
in  the  Complaint,  when  I  had  made  double 
compensation  to  what  I  ought. 

In  a  conversation  at  the  time  of  our  exam- 
ination with  him,  several  others  present,  I 
understood  him  that  I  ought  to  make  some 
concession.  My  answer  was  "if  turning  my 
hand  over  by  way  of  concession,  would  with- 
draw the  Complaint,  I  will  never  do  it  —  If 
my  innocence  will  not  protect  me,  and  my  life 
should  be  taken,  my  blood  will  be  required  at 
thy  hands  "  —  This  shocked  him  very  much, 
but  it  did  not  last  long,  as  he  told  some  of  his 
friends  that  he  believed  Samuel  Starbuck  and 
myself  were  clear.  They  then  asked  him  why 
he  did  not  take  our  names  out  of  the  Com- 
[  23  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

plaint —  He  replied  "because  it  suits  me 
best  to  keep  them  in." 

So  callous  a  heart  I  hope  is  not  often  to  be 
met  with,  thus  playing  with  our  lives  as  with 
a  Tennis  Ball.  I  am  glad  to  leave  this  tragic 
scene  and  proceed 

Some-time  in  the  Year  1780  Admiral  Ar- 
buthnot  returned  to  England,  and  Admiral 
Digby  succeeded  him.  As  soon  as  Arbuthnot 
was  gone,  those  plundering  Refugees  were 
upon  us  again,  our  protection  having  ceased 
by  his  Departure.  This  renewed  our  perplex- 
ity. The  Town  was  convened  to  consult  about 
measures  to  prevent  destruction The  re- 
sult was  to  send  a  Committee  again  to  New 
York,  to  solicit  an  Order  from  Admiral  Digby 
similar  to  that  which  we  had  before.  It  was 
proposed  for  me  to  go  with  two  others.  I  had 
then  been  confined  nearly  nine  months  with 
the  Rheumatism,  had  just  left  my  crutches, 
and  was  hobbling  about  with  a  cane  —  There- 
fore I  could  not  think  of  such  an  undertak- 
[  24  ] 


WILLIAM    UOTCM 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

ing.  But  all  others  utterly  refused  to  go,  un- 
less I  would  accompany  them.  This  brought 

a  great  straight  on  my  mind To  go  I 

thought  I  could  not,  and  to  omit  it  seemed 
almost  inevitable  destruction.  At  last  I  con- 
sented, under  great  apprehension  that  I  should 
not  live  to  return.  We  accordingly  set  sail, 
and  when  we  were  off  Rhode  Island,  I  was 
obliged  to  have  them  go  to  the  East  side  of 
the  Island,  and  lay  there  several  days,  for  my 
pain  was  so  great  that  I  could  not  bear  the 

motion  of  the  vessel But  we  got  safe  to 

New  York  in  a  few  days  after  it  abated. 

Admiral  Digby  had  arrived Commodore 

Affleck  (since  Admiral)  still  being  there,  and 
he  having  kindly  assisted  in  getting  the  Per- 
mits for  a  few  whaling  vessels  the  year  before, 

we  applied  first  to  him We  asked  him  to 

introduce  us  to  the  Admiral,  and  assist  us  in 
procuring  protection  against  their  cruisers  in 
our  harbor,  and  some  Permits  for  the  Fishery. 

He  looked  very  stern,  and  said,  "  I  don't 
[  25  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

know  how  you  can  have  the  face  to  ask  any 
indulgence  of  us  —  I  assisted  in  getting  Per- 
mits for  you  last  year,  which  I  have  been  very 
sorry  for.  I  find  that  you  have  abused  the 

confidence  we  placed  in  you,  for  Captain 

who  cruised  in  Boston  Bay  and  its  vicinity  told 
me  that  he  could  hardly  find  a  vessel  but  what 
had  the  Permits,  and  you  deserve  no  favor" 
&c  &c  —  I  heard  him  patiently  through,  while 
he  was  giving  us  such  a  lecture,  knowing  I 

could  overthrow  it  all I  then  answered 

"  Commodore  Affleck  thou  hast  been  greatly 
imposed  upon  in  this  matter.  I  defy  Captain 

to  make  such  a  declaration  to  my  face. 

Those  Permits  were  put  into  my  hands 1 

delivered  them,  taking  receipts  for  each,  to  be 
returned  to  me  at  the  end  of  the  voyage,  and 
an  obligation  that  no  transfer  should  be  made, 
nor  copies  given.  I  received  back  all  the  Per- 
mits except  two  before  I  left  home,  and  should 
probably  have  received  those  two  on  the  day 
that  I  sailed.  Now  if  any  such  duplicity  has 
C  26  ] 


WILLIAM      IIOTCH 

been  practiced,  I  am  the  person  who  is  account- 
able, and  I  am  now  here  to  take  the  punish- 
ment such  perfidy  deserves." 

He  immediately  became  placid,  and  said, 
"You  deserve  favor.  I  am  now  going  to  the 
Admiral  —  do  you  be  there  in  an  hour  "  —  We 

attended  punctually He  introduced  us  to 

the  Admiral,  and  informed  him  that  his  prede- 
cessor Admiral  Arbuthnot  granted  the  people  of 
Nantucket  a  few  Permits  for  the  Fishery  last 
year,  adding,  "  and  I  can  assure  your  Excel- 
lency they  have  made  no  bad  use  of  them." 

Thus  after  a  storm  came  a  pleasant  calm. 
We  obtained  an  Order,  as  heretofore,  respect- 
ing the  property  in  our  harbor,  and  Twenty 
four  Permits  for  the  Fishery  —  And  I  returned 
home  much  improved  in  my  health. 

It  was  necessary  to  secrete  these  Documents 
from  American  Cruisers,  but  such  was  the  diffi- 
culty of  distinguishing  them,  that  two  were 
presented  to  American  armed  vessels,  who  im- 
mediately took  the  vessels  as  prizes.  This  occa- 
[  27  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

sioned  us  to  pursue  other  means  for  the  secur- 
ity of  this  small  privilege,  though  a  very  use- 
ful one  to  us,  which  I  shall  mention  hereafter. 

We  were  now  brought  into  the  most  emi- 
nent danger,  which  no  human  effort  could  check, 
much  less  prevent.  Nothing  short  of  the  inter- 
position of  Divine  Providence  preserved  us  from 
apparent  ruin.  Several  Sloops  of  War,  and  a 
number  of  Transports  intended  paying  us  a  de- 
structive visit.  They  were  in  sight  of  us  in  the 
day  time  three  days,  near  Cape  Poag  (Martha's 
Vineyard)  —  They  got  under  way  three  morn- 
ings successively,  and  stood  for  the  Island  with  a 
fair  wind,  which  each  morning  soon  came  round 
against  them,  and  the  tide  by  that  time  became 
unfavorable,  which  obliged  them  to  return  to 
their  anchorage  still  in  view  of  us. 

Before  they  could  make  the  fourth  attempt, 
Orders  came  for  their  return  to  New  York  for 
some  other  Expedition. 

Thus  we  were  mercifully  relieved  for  that 
time,  after  more  fearful  apprehension  than  any 
[  28  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

we  had  before  witnessed.  Messengers  were  ar- 
riving one  after  another,  and  twice  I  was  called 
up  in  the  night  with  the  disagreeable  informa- 
tion that  they  were  at  hand.  A  solemn  time  in- 
deed it  was,  and  can  never  be  obliterated  from 
my  memory  while  life  and  reason  are  vouch- 
safed. 

We  had  a  few  restless  Spirits  amongst  us, 
who  were  continually  involving  us  in  perplexity 
whenever  opportunity  offered.  From  a  mis- 
representation it  was  sometimes  charged  upon 
the  Inhabitants  at  large,  though  without  the 
least  foundation,  therefore  this  Armament  was 
prepared  to  strip  us  of  what  could  be  found. 

When  this  misrepresentation  was  discovered, 
those  who  authorized  the  Expedition  appeared 
very  glad  that  it  was  not  executed. 

I  was  one  with  ten  men,  and  two  Women 
friends,  captured  in  going  to  our  Quarterly 
meeting  at  Sandwich,  by  a  British  Privateer 
from  New  York.  They  had  just  before  taken  a 
Cedar  Boat,  and  ordered  us  to  depart  in  it  im- 
C  29  ] 


mediately,  having  first  plundered  us  of  what 
money  they  could  find,  but  they  took  neither 
baggage  nor  provisions  from  us. 

The  Vessel  was  mine,  and  I  pleaded  earnestly 
for  her,  and  sometimes  nearly  obtained  a  ma- 
jority to  give  her  to  us —  But  another  Can  of 
Grog  would  be  stirred  up  by  those  who  would 
not  consent  to  release  her,  and  this  never  failed 
to  gain  several  to  their  side.  They  repeatedly 
ordered  us  into  the  boat  and  to  be  gone,  but  we 
refused,  still  pleading  for  our  vessel,  'till  the 
Captain  of  the  Privateer  called  to  the  Prize 
Master,  to  know  why  he  did  not  send  us  away. 
He  replied  "  they  will  not  go."  He  then  sent  a 
furious  fellow  to  drive  us  off.  Samuel  Starbuck 
and  myself  were  standing  together,  he  ap- 
proached us  with  a  violent  countenance,  and 
uplifted  Cutlass,  saying  "  Begone  into  the  boat, 
or  I  '11  cut  your  heads  off."  I  looked  him  earn- 
estly in  the  face,  eye  to  eye,  and  with  a  pretty 
stern  accent,  said  "  I  am  not  afraid  of  thy  cut- 
ting my  head  off —  "We  are  prisoners,  treat  us 
[  30  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

as  such,  and  not  talk  of  cutting  our  heads  off." — 
He  dropped  his  arm  with  his  cutlass,  and  seemed 
very  much  struck  at  my  boldness. 

There  were  now  two  vessels  coming  rapidly 
in  pursuit  of  them,  and  we  thought  it  was  time 
to  be  off.  They  soon  retook  our  vessel,  and 
pursued  the  Privateer,  and  took  her,  but  the 
men  left  her  in  their  boat,  and  got  on  shore  on 
the  Vineyard.  They  hunted  them,  and  took  all 
except  that  one  who  threatened  to  cut  off  our 
heads,  and  he  made  his  escape. 

Our  vessel  being  retaken,  I  recovered  her  by 
paying  salvage,  as  did  a  young  man  the  most 
of  his  money,  who  had  two  hundred  dollars 
taken  from  him. 

I  now  return  to  the  Permits  granted  us  by 
Admiral  Digby.  The  American  Cruisers  gen- 
erally had  knowledge  of  our  whaling  Vessels 
having  them,  therefore  every  deception  and 
disguise  was  resorted  to,  to  entrap  them.  They 
were  too  successful  in  drawing  the  Permit  from 
two  and  taking  them  as  prizes. 
[  31  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

It  was  now  evident  that  we  could  proceed 
no  further  without  having  Permits  from  both 
contending  Powers.  Accordingly  the  Town  was 
convened,  and  Samuel  Starbuck  and  myself 
were  sent  to  Congress,  to  represent  our  dis- 
tressed situation,  an  endeavor  to  obtain  their 
permission,  as  well  as  that  of  the  British  for  a 
few  vessels. 

"We  set  off  in  mid-winter  and  arrived  in  Phila- 
delphia where  Congress  was  sitting.  We  opened 
our  business  first  to  General  Lincoln,  Samuel 
Osgood,  Nathaniel  Gorham,  and  Thomas  Fitz- 
simmons.  The  first  was  Minister  of  War,  the 
others  were  members  of  Congress.  The  last  a 
great  commercial  man.  To  them  we  opened  our 

whole  business We  drew  up  a  Memorial 

but  did  not  present  it  until  we  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  stating  our  case,  to  the  most  influen- 
tial members.  Among  them  was  President 
Madison,  who  as  well  as  others,  treated  us  with 
great  civility,  and  seemed  to  take  an  interest 
in  our  sufferings. 

C     32     ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

We  went  to  one  of  the  Massachusetts  Mem- 
bers,  who  resided  in  Boston.  He  was  extremely 
prejudiced  against  us.  I  fell  in  with  him  alone, 
and  conversed  about  two  hours  with  him,  en- 
deavoring  to  impress  him  with  our  situation, 
and  the  necessity  of  our  having  the  aid  of  Con- 
gress, but  apparently  with  little  effect.  At  last 
I  asked  him  three  questions,  which  were  "  is 
the  whale  fishery  worth  preserving  to  this 
Country  ?  "  —  "  Yes  "  —  "  Can  it  be  preserved 
in  the  present  state  of  things  by  any  place  ex- 
cept Nantucket  ?  "  —  "  No  " —  "  Can  we  pursue 
it  unless  you  and  the  British  will  both  give  us 
Permits?"  — "No"  — "Then  pray  where  is 
the  difficulty?"  —  Thus  we  parted.  We  re- 
ported this  conversation  to  our  beforemen- 
tioned  friends. 

We  had  now  drawn  our  Memorial,  and 
desired  them  to  look  it  over.  They  approved 
it,  and  advised  us  to  get  the  same  person  to 
present  it.  Accordingly  we  repaired  to  his 
apartments,  requested  him  to  examine  it,  and 
[  33  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

give  us  his  judgment  whether  our  statement 
appeared  correct.  He  approved  it  —  We  then 
requested  him  to  present  it  to  Congress,  if  it 
was  agreeable  to  him  to  do  so  —  He  accepted, 
and  presented  it  accordingly.  It  was  deliber- 
ated upon  in  Congress,  and  a  disposition  ap- 
peared to  give  their  aid  in  its  accomplishment. 
They  eventually  granted  us  Permits  for  Thirty 
five  vessels  for  the  Whale  Fishery. 

They  were  delivered  to  us,  and  the  next  day 
a  Vessel  arrived  from  Europe,  bringing  a  ru- 
mor of  a  Provincial  Treaty  of  Peace  having 
been  signed  by  our  Ministers  and  the  British 
Government,  to  take  place  when  the  Peace 
between  England  and  France  should  be  con- 
cluded. And  it  was  not  long  before  an  official 
account  of  it  reached  Philadelphia. 

Thus  ended  this  destructive  War,  with  the 
separation  of  the  United  States  from  Great 
Britain. 

Our  arduous  labors,  after  five  or  six  weeks 
attention,  were  now  terminated,  and  might 
[  34  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

have  been  spared,  if  we  had  apprehended 
Peace  had  been  so  near.  The  British  were  still 
to  hold  New  York,  and  other  Territories  now 
ceded  to  the  United  States,  for  a  limited  time. 
I  obtained  liberty  to  proceed  to  that  City  to 
accomplish  some  business,  and  then  returned 
home. 

The  happy  return  of  Peace  was  now  enjoyed 
in  the  United  States,  but  poor  Nantucket, 
whose  distresses  did  not  end  with  the  War, 
though  rejoiced  at  the  event,  still  seemed 
doomed  for  a  time  to  ruin  in  the  Whale  Fish- 
ery. Separated  from  Great  Britain,  the  only 
market  of  any  consequence  for  Sperm  Oil,  we 
were  necessarily  brought  under  the  Alien  Duty 
of  18  pounds  Sterling  pr  Ton  —  A  duty  laid 
upon  Aliens  to  encourage  British  Subjects. 
Such  we  then  were,  but  this  duty  had  its 
full  force  on  us.  Sperm  Oil  was  sold  at  Nan- 
tucket  after  the  Peace  at  17  pounds  Sterlg 
pr  Ton,  which  before  we  were  separated  was 
worth  nearly  30  pounds  Sterling.  25  pounds 
C  35  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

Sterling  was  necessary  at  that  time  to  cover 
the  expences,  and  leave  a  very  moderate  profit 
to  the  Owners.  Thus  a  loss  of  nearly  8  pounds 
Sterlg  pr  Ton  attended  the  business. 

We  continued  it  for  two  years  at  a  certain 
loss,  with  a  hope  that  some  more  favorable 
turn  might  take  place.  But  no  such  prospect 
appearing,  and  the  loss  I  had  sustained  by 
Captures  in  the  Revolutionary  War  (about 
$60,000)  had  so  reduced  my  property,  that  I 
found  it  necessary  to  seek  some  new  expedient 
to  prevent  the  loss  of  all.  I  found  no  probable 
alternative  but  to  proceed  to  England,  and 
endeavor  to  pursue  the  Fishery  from  there. 

I  accordingly  took  passage  in  the  Ship  Ma- 
ria, William  Mooers  Master,  accompanied  by 
my  son  Benjamin,  and  sailed  from  Nantucket 
on  the  4th  of  7th  month  1785.  We  had  a  fine 
passage  of  Twenty  three  days,  five  of  which, 
having  Easterly  winds,  we  gained  only  one 
day's  sail  forward  in  that  time.  I  proceeded  to 
London,  calling  on  my  old  friend  Doctor  Wil- 
[  36  ] 


TIIK    SHU'    MAKIA 


WILL.IAM      BOTCH 

liam  Cooper  at  Rochester,  (who  with  his  fam- 
ily went  to  England  in  this  same  ship  two 
years  before)  and  requesting  him  to  accom- 
pany me  to  London,  which  he  kindly  did. 

When  we  reached  Shooter's  Hill,  in  full 
view  of  London,  and  Eight  miles  distant,  forc- 
ibly feeling  the  great  distance  which  separated 
me  from  my  family,  myself  a  stranger  in  that 
land,  the  occasion  that  drew  me  there,  and  the 
uncertainty  of  its  answering  any  valuable  pur- 
pose, I  was  overwhelmed  with  sorrow,  and  my 
spirits  so  depressed,  that  in  looking  toward 
that  great  City,  no  pleasant  pictures  were  pre- 
sented to  my  view.  But  I  found  it  would  not 
do  to  give  way  to  despondence,  reason  resumed 
her  empire,  I  was  there,  and  something  must 
be  attempted. 

We  reached  London,  and  I  took  lodgings 
for  myself  and  my  son  Benjamin  at  Thomas 
Wagstaff  s  in  Gracechurch  Street.  Our  first 
Journey  was  to  the  West  of  England,  in  which 
we  had  the  agreeable  company  of  my  friend 
[  37  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

James  Phillips.  We  visited  the  Sea  Coast  from 
Southampton,  to  Falmouth,  in  search  of  a  good 
situation  for  the  Whale  Fishery,  if  we  should 
conclude  to  form  an  Establishment  on  that 
Island.  We  found  several  Ports  suitable  for 
the  purpose,  but  none  that  we  preferred  to  Fal- 
mouth. In  that  large  Harbor,  there  are  several 
smaller,  that  would  do  well  for  the  business.  I 
had  very  favorable  offers  of  divers  places,  but 
I  was  only  on  discovery,  and  did  not  wish  to 
entangle  myself  with  any.  After  viewing  the 
Coast,  and  spending  some  days  at  Plymouth, 
we  took  a  circuitous  route,  and  returned  to 

London. At  Bristol  I  visited  the  Grave 

of  my  Brother  Joseph,  who  died  there  Eighteen 
Years  before. 

My  next  Object  was  to  know  what  encour- 
agement we  could  obtain  from  the  British 
Government. 

My  friend  Robert  Barclay  perceiving  what 
my  business  was,  spoke  to  Harry  Beaufoy,  a 
Member  of  Parliament  who  introduced  me  to 
C  38  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

the  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  (the  great 
William  Pitt  then  about  Twenty  seven  years 
of  age.) 

He  received  me  politely,  and  heard  me  pa- 
tiently. I  laid  before  him  our  ruinous  situation, 
saying  "  when  the  War  begun,  we  declared 
against  taking  any  part  in  it,  and  strenuously 
adhered  to  this  determination,  thus  placing 
ourselves  as  a  Neutral  Island.  Nevertheless  you 
have  taken  from  us  about  Two  Hundred  sail 
of  Vessels,  valued  at  200,000  pounds  Sterling, 
unjustly  and  illegally.  Had  that  War  been 
founded  on  a  general  Declaration  against 
America,  we  should  have  been  included  in  it, 
but  it  was  predicated  on  a  Rebellion,  conse- 
quently none  could  be  in  Rebellion  but  such 
as  were  in  arms,  or  those  that  were  aiding 
such.  We  have  done  neither.  As  a  proof  of 
our  being  without  the  reach  of  your  Declara- 
tion, you  sent  Commissioners  to  restore  peace 
to  America,  in  which  any  Province,  County, 
Town  &c  that  should  make  submission,  and 
[  39  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

receive  pardon,  should  be  reinstated  in  their 
former  situation.  As  we  had  not  offended,  we 
had  no  submission  to  make,  nor  pardon  to  ask 
—  and  it  is  certainly  very  hard  if  we  do  not 
stand  on  better  ground  than  those  who  have 
offended,  consequently  we  remained  a  part  of 
your  Dominions  until  separated  by  the  Peace." 

This  last  sentence  I  pressed  closely,  wherever 
I  could  with  propriety  introduce  it,  knowing  it 
was  a  material  point. 

After  I  had  done  he  paused  some  time,  and 
then  answered  to  our  remaining  a  part  of  their 
Dominions  until  separated  by  the  Peace 

"  most  undoubtedly  you  are  right  Sir Now 

what  can  be  done  for  you  ?  " 

I  told  him  that  in  the  present  state  of  things, 
the  principal  part  of  our  Inhabitants  must  leave 
the  Island.  —  Some  would  go  into  the  Coun- 
try   "  A  part "  said  I  "  wish  to  continue  the 

Whale  Fishery,  wherever  it  can  be  pursued 

to  advantage Therefore,  my  chief  business 

is  to  lay  our  distressed  situation,  and  the  cause 
[  40  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

of  it,  before  this  Nation,  and  to  ascertain  if 
the  Fishery  is  considered  an  Object  worth  giv- 
ing such  encouragement  for  a  removal  to  Eng- 
land, as  the  subject  deserves." 

Thus  our  conversation  ended,  and  I  with- 
drew with  my  friend  H.  Beaufoy. 

The  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  could  not 
be  expected  to  attend  to  all  applications,  and 
I  suppose  he  laid  mine  before  the  Privy  Coun- 
cil, as  the  Secretary  of  the  Council  Stephen 
Cotterel  sent  me  a  note  soon  after  this  conver- 
sation, saying  the  Council  would  sit  at  an  early 
day,  when  they  would  hear  what  I  had  to 
offer.  I  waited  for  that  early  day  a  month, 
and  then  applied  to  Secretary  Cotterel  to 

know  what  occasioned  the  delay The  answer 

was,  that  so  much  business  lay  before  them, 
that  they  had  not  been  able  to  attend  to  it, 
but  would  soon. 

Thus  I  waited,  not  daring  to  leave  Town 
lest  I  should  be  called  for.  This  state  of  things 
continued  more  than  four  months,  during 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

which  time  I  received  several,  what  I  called 
unmeaning  Court  messages,  "  that  they  were 
sorry  they  had  not  been  able  to  call  for  me  " 
&c  — 

I  then  desired  them  to  appoint  some  person 
for  me  to  confer  with,  that  the  matter  might 
be  brought  to  a  close.  This  was  done  — But  un- 
happily Lord  Hawksbury  was  the  person.  A 
greater  Enemy  to  America,  I  believe,  could 
not  be  found  in  that  Body,  nor  hardly  in  the 
Nation. 

I  waited  on  him,  and  informed  him  what 
encouragement  I  thought  would  induce  a  re- 
moval, which  I  estimated  at  100  pounds-Ster- 
ling transportation  for  a  family  of  five  per- 
sons, and  100  pounds  settlement.  Say  20,000 
pounds  —  for  a  hundred  families.  "  Oh  ! " 
"  says  he,  this  is  a  great  sum,  and  at  this  time 
when  we  are  endeavoring  to  economise  in  our 
expenditures."  I  replied,  "  Thou  mayst  think 
it  a  great  sum  for  this  Nation  to  pay,  /  think 
two  thirds  of  it  a  great  sum  for  you  to  have 
[  42  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

taken  from  me  as  an  Individual,  unjustly  and 
illegally."  "We  had  a  long  conversation,  and  I 
left  him  to  call  again,  which  I  did  in  a  few 


I  then  added  to  my  demand  the  liberty  to 
bring  in  Thirty  American  Ships  for  the  Fish- 
ery. "Oh  no,"  said  he,  "that  cannot  be,  our 
Carpenters  must  be  employed."  I  mentioned 
that  we  had  some  Vessels  that  we  possessed 
before  the  War  —  "  Those  can  surely  be  ad- 
mitted "  —  "  No  — they  must  be  British  built." 
"  Will  it  be  any  advantage,  if  an  Emigra- 
tion takes  place,  for  the  Emigrants  to  bring 
property  with  them  ?  "  "Yes  "  —  "  If  they  can 
invest  their  property  in  Articles  that  will  be 
worth  double  here  to  what  they  are  there,  will 
that  be  an  additional  advantage  to  this  Coun- 
try ?  "  "  Yes  —  certainly  "  —  "  Then  why  not 
bring  ships,  when  two  of  ours  will  not  cost  more 
than  one  of  yours?"  —  "Oh  we  don't  make 
mercantile  calculations,  't  is  Seamen  we  want " 

"  Then  surely  two  of  our  Ships  will  answer 

[      43      ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

your  purpose  better  than  one  of  yours,  as  they 
will  make  double  the  number  of  Seamen, 
which  must  be  the  very  thing  aimed  at."  He 
saw  that  he  was  in  a  Dilemma,  which  he  could 
not  reason  himself  out  of,  and  struggled  through 
with  some  violence. 

He  had  now  made  his  nice  calculation  of  87 
pounds-10  for  transportation,  and  settlement 
of  a  family  —  and  says  he,  "I  am  about  a 
Fishery  Bill,  and  I  want  to  come  to  something 

that  I  may  insert  it "  &c. My  answer  was, 

"  Thy  offer  is  no  Object,  therefore  go  on  with 
thy  Fishery  Bill,  without  any  regard  to  me." 

I  was  then  taking  leave,  and  withdrawing 

"  Well,  Mr.  Rotch,  you  '11  call  on  me  again 
in  two  or  three  days."  "  I  see  no  necessity  for 
it "  — -  "  But  I  desire  you  would  "  —  "  If  it 
is  thy  desire  perhaps  I  may  call." 

However,  he  let  me  rest  but  one  day  before 

he  sent  for  me.  He  had  the  old  story  over 

again,  but  I  told  him  it  was  unnecessary  to 

enter  again  into  the  subject.  I  then  informed 

C      44      ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

him  that  I  had  heard  a  rumor  that  Nantucket 
had  agreed  to  furnish  France  with  a  quantity 
of  Oil.  He  stepped  to  his  Bureau,  took  out 
one  of  a  file  of  papers,  and  pretended  to  read 
an  entire  contradiction,  though  I  was  satisfied 
there  was  not  a  line  there  on  the  subject. 

I  said,  "  it  was  only  a  vague  report  that  I 
heard,  and  I  cannot  vouch  for  the  truth  of  it 

But  we  are  like  drowning  men,  catching  at 

every  straw  that  passes  by,  therefore  I  am  now 
determined  to  go  to  France,  and  see  what  it 
is  —  If  there  is  any  such  contract,  sufficient 
to  retain  us  at  Nantucket,  neither  you,  nor  any 
other  Nation  shall  have  us,  and  if  it  is  insuffi- 
cient, I  will  endeavor  to  enlarge  it." 

"  Ah  !  "  says  he,  "  Quakers  go  to  France  ?  " 

"Yes,"  I  replied,  "but  with  regret."  I 

then  parted  with  Lord  Hawksbury  for  the 
last  time. 

I  immediately  embarked  with  my  Son  for 
Dunkirk,  where  I  drew  up  our  proposals,  and 
sent  them  to  Paris,  not  wishing  to  proceed 
C  «  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

further,  until  I  found  the  disposition  of  the 
French  Court.  They  sent  for  us  to  come  im- 
mediately —  We  lost  no  time  in  answering  the 
summons,  and  soon  reached  Paris.  The  Master 
of  Requests  who  was  the  proper  Minister  to 
receive  our  proposals,  and  to  make  his  re- 
marks on  the  several  Articles,  had  examined 
them,  and  made  his  remarks  accordingly.  The 
propositions  were 

1st  A  full  and  free  enjoyment  of  our 
Religion,  according  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  people  called  Quak- 
ers  

To  which  he  annexed,  "  Accord  e\" 
2nd  An  entire  exemption  from  Mili- 
tary requisitions  of  every  kind. 

To  this  he  annexed  the  follow- 
ing just  remark,  "  as  they  are  a 
peaceable  people,  and  meddle  not 
with  the  quarrels  of  Princes,  nei- 
ther internal  nor  external,  this 
proposition  may  be  granted." 
[  46  ] 


WILLIAM      KOTCH 

The  other  propositions  related  to  the  regu- 
lation of  the  Whale  Fishery. 

We  next  proceeded  to  the  several  other 
Ministers  at  Versailles,  five  in  number.  First 
to  Calone  Comptroller  of  Finance  —  We  gave 
our  reasons  for  not  taking  off  our  hats  on  in- 
troduction, to  them  all  —  Calone  replied,  "  I 
care  nothing  about  your  hats,  if  your  hearts 
are  right "  —  Next,  to  the  aged  Vergennes, 
Minister  of  Foreign  affairs  —  Then  to  the  Mar- 
shall  DeCastre  Minister  of  Marine  —  To  the 
Prince  of  Reubec  Generalissimo  of  Flanders  — 

and  last  to the  Intendant  of  Flanders, 

who  all  agreed  to  my  proposals. 

We  then  returned  to  Paris,  and  were  to 
visit  Versailles  again,  to  take  leave,  according 
to  the  Etiquette  of  the  Court.  Before  we  set 
off  one  of  the  Ministers  asked  us  if  we  did 
not  wish  to  see  the  Palace.  We  excused  our- 
selves, as  we  did  not  think  curiosity  would 
justify  us,  if  our  plain  way  would  give  any 
offence.  While  we  remained  in  Paris  we  re- 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

ceived  a  note,  saying  the  Minister  had  spoken 
to  the  King  who  gave  full  liberty  for  the  Nan- 
tucket  Friends  (avoiding  the  name  of  Quakers 
when  they  found  that  it  was  given  us  in  re- 
proach) to  visit  the  Palace,  both  its  public 
and  private  apartments,  when  he  was  out 
(which  was  almost  every  day)  — 

To  view  the  private  Apartments  was  a  great 
indulgence,  not  often  granted  except  to  per- 
sons of  note.  But  unfavorably  for  us,  the 
King  did  not  happen  to  be  out  on  the  day  we 
went  to  take  leave,  which  was  a  disappoint- 
ment, but  We  went  through  the  public  Apart- 
ments, and  into  the  Chapel.  When  we  hesitated 
at  the  latter,  the  Officer  insisted  on  our  enter- 
ing in  our  own  way,  showing  us  every  thing 
remarkable,  and  pointing  out  the  places  occu- 
pied by  the  Royal  Family  in  time  of  Mass, 
&c 

We  now  took  leave  and  returned  to  London. 

After  I  was  gone  to  France  Lord  Hawks- 
bury  became  alarmed,  and  enquired  of  Harry 
C  48  ] 


AVIL.LIAM      BOTCH 

Beaufoy  if  I  was  gone  to  France  —  He  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative "  Why  is  he 

gone  there  ?  "  —  "  For  what  you  or  any  other 

person  would  have  gone You  would  not 

make  him  an  offer  worth  his  acceptance 

He  will  now  try  what  can  be  done  in  France." 
Alexander  Champion  wrote  to  me,  I  suppose 
at  Lord  Hawksbury's  request,  to  inform  me 
that  he  had  made  provision  in  his  Fishery 
Bill  for  us,  and  inserted  liberty  to  bring  in 
Forty  Ships,  instead  of  Thirty  which  I  de- 
manded, he  having  forgotten  the  number,  but 
it  was  too  late. 

This  letter  was  brought  to  our  Apart- 
ments, and  we  understood  the  bearer  to  en- 
quire, if  a  Dutch  Gentleman  resided  there 
—  He  was  answered  in  the  negative,  and 
my  letter  was  lodged  in  a  small  letter  Office, 
always  an  Appendage  to  the  large  Hotels. 
The  very  evening  we  left  Paris  it  was  brought 
to  me. 

We  now  returned  to  London,  and  I  was 
[  49  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

soon  sent  for  by  George  Rose  (I  suppose 
father  of  the  Minister  lately  sent  to  the 
United  States)  who  was  one  of  Pitt's  Secre- 
taries. He  enquired  if  I  had  contracted  with 
France  —  I  told  him,  no  —  I  did  not  come  to 
make  any  Contract.  Propositions  were  the 

extent  of  my  business "  You  are  then  at 

liberty  to  agree  with  us  —  and  I  am  authorised 
by  Mr  Pitt  to  tell  you  that  you  shall  make 
your  own  terms." 

I  told    him    it  was    too    late  —  "I  made 
very  moderate  proposals  to  you,  but  could  not 

obtain  anything  worth  my  notice I  went 

to  France,  sent  forward  my  proposals,  which 
were  doubly  advantageous  to  what  I  had 
offered  your  Government They  consid- 
ered them  but  a  short  time,  and  on  my  arrival 
in  Paris  were  ready  to  act.  I  had  a  separate 
interview  with  all  the  Ministers  of  State  neces- 
sary to  the  subject  (five  in  number)  who  all 
agreed  to,  and  granted  my  demands.  This 
was  effected  in  five  hours,  when  I  had  waited 
[  50  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

to  be  called  by  your  Privy  Council  more  than 
four  months."  He  still  insisted  that  as  I 
was  not  bound  to  France,  I  should  make  my 
own  terms  with  them,  but  all  in  vain  —  the 
time  had  passed  over.  Lord  Sheffield  also 
sent  for  me  on  the  same  subject,  but  was  soon 
convinced  that  it  was  too  late.  The  minority 
came  to  me  for  materials  to  attack  Lord 
Hawksbury,  but  I  refused. 

I  now  began  to  prepare  for  returning  to  my 
family.  Accordingly  I  bought  a  good  ship, 
and  with  William  Mooers  Master,  we  left  the 
Downs  the  llth  of  10  month  1786  —  After  a 
tremendous  passage  of  Sixty  Eight  days,  in 
which  we  had  twelve  heavy  storms,  we  arrived 
in  Boston,  and  by  way  of  Providence  and 
Newport  reached  my  own  home  on  the  1st  of 
1st  month  1787,  and  to  my  unspeakable  com- 
fort found  my  family  well  after  an  absence  of 
Eighteen  Months. 

We  next  prepared  to  increase  our  Fishery 
in  Dunkirk,  and  my  Son  Benjamin  returned 
[  51  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

there,  to  superintend  the  Business,  he  having 
become  a  partner  with  my  son  in  law  Samuel 
Kodman  &  myself. 

After  remaining  at  home  nearly  four  Years, 
I  thought  it  best  to  make  another  voyage,  to 
assist  my  Son  in  our  business  at  Dunkirk  — 
And  not  expecting  to  return  in  less  than  three 
Years,  a  term  too  long  to  be  separated  from 
my  family,  I  proposed  to  my  Wife  to  go  with 
me,  and  take  our  Daughters  Lydia  &  Mary 
with  us,  to  which  she  consented  —  and  we 
also  took  with  us  my  Son  Benjamin's  Wife 
and  Child. 

We  sailed  from  New  Bedford  in  the  Ship 
Maria  &  Eliza,  which  I  bought  for  the  pur- 
pose, Abisha  Hay  don  Master,  on  the  29th  of 
7th  month  1790.  We  arrived  at  Dunkirk  in 
Thirty  Eight  days,  and  found  our  Son  Benja- 
min in  health,  and  greatly  rejoiced  to  receive 
his  Wife  and  Child,  as  well  as  to  see  us. 

Early  in  the  Year  1791  I  was  called  upon 
with  my  Son  to  attend  the  National  Assembly 
[  62  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

at  Paris We  were  joined  by  John  Mar- 

sillac  in  presenting  a  Petition  to  that  Body 
for  some  privileges  and  exemptions  connected 
with  our  religious  principles. 

The  Petition  was  drawn  by  John  Marsillac 
before  we  reached  Paris,  and  notice  given 
that  it  must  be  presented  the  next  day. 

On  perusing  it,  we  found  some  material 
alterations  necessary.  And  in  some  instances 
it  was  difficult  to  express  in  French  the  alter- 
ations we  made  in  English,  without  losing 
their  force.  My  not  understanding  the  French 
Language  it  was  impossible  to  have  such  ex- 
pressions inserted  as  I  thought  necessary 

And  the  time  was  so  short,  that  we  were 
obliged  to  let  it  pass  with  much  fewer  amend- 
ments than  we  wished. 

The  hour  was  come  for  presenting  it,  and 
the  previous  notice  given  of  the  Quaker  Peti- 
tion, I  suppose  drew  every  Member  in  Town 
to  his  seat.  The  Galleries  for  Spectators  were 
filled,  and  many  could  not  be  accommodated, 
[  53  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

nor  did  we  wonder  at  their  curiosity,  consider- 
ing the  novelty  of  the  Object. 

We  had  been,  with  Brissot  De  Warville, 
Clavier,  and  some  others  looking  over  the 
Petition  until  the  latest  moment,  and  must 
now  proceed  to  the  Assembly.  They  with 
several  others  had  come  to  accompany  us,  and 
just  as  we  were  moving,  One  observed,  "  You 
have  no  Cockades  —  You  must  put  them  on." 
We  told  them  we  could  not  —  It  was  a  dis- 
tinguishing Badge  that  we  could  not  make  use 
of.  "  But,"  said  they,  "  it  is  required  by  Law, 
to  prevent  distinction,  that  people  may  not  be 
abused,  for  their  lives  are  in  danger  without 
them,  and  there  is  always  a  large  Body  of  the 
lower  classes  about  the  Assembly  that  we 
have  to  pass  through."  Our  answer  was,  that 
we  could  not  do  it,  whatever  might  be  the  con- 
sequence —  That  we  were  willing  to  go  as  far 
as  we  could,  and  if  stopped,  we  must  submit 
to  it  —  We  saw  that  our  friends  were  full  of 
fear  for  our  safety.  We  set  out  under  no 
[  54  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

small  apprehension,  but  trusting  to  that  Power 
that  can  turn  the  hearts  of  Men  as  a  water 
course  is  turned,  we  passed  through  this  great 
Concourse  without  interruption,  and  reached 
the  waiting  room  of  the  Assembly. 

A  Messenger  informed  the  President  of  our 
arrival,  and  we  were  immediately  called  to  the 
Bar. 

John  Marsillac  read  the  Petition,  with  Bris- 
sot  at  his  elbow,  to  correct  him  in  his  empha- 
sis, which  he  frequently  did,  unperceived  I 
believe  except  by  us.  At  the  close  of  every 
subject,  there  was  a  general  clapping  of  hands, 
and  the  Officers  whose  business  it  was,  en- 
deavoring to  hush  them  that  the  reading  might 
proceed,  this  hushing  I  thought  was  hissing, 
from  my  ignorance  of  the  language,  and  ap- 
prehended all  was  going  wrong,  until  better 
informed. 

After  the  reading  was  concluded,  the  Pres- 
ident Mirabeau  read  his  answer.  The  clap- 
ping was  repeated  at  the  end  of  every  subject 
[  55  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

—  at  the  close,  the  President  said  — "  The 
Assembly  invites  you  to  stay  its  Sitting." 

As  we  were  passing  to  the  seats  assigned 
us,  a  person  touched  Benjamin,  and  said,  "  I 
rejoice  to  see  something  of  your  principles 
brought  before  this  Assembly."  He  did  not 
know  who  it  was.  After  we  were  seated,  sev- 
eral Members  came  to  us  for  conversation  on 
the  subject  of  our  principles.  We  remained 
until  the  Assembly  rose,  and  then  retired  to 
our  lodgings. 

We  next  found  that  a  visit  to  the  influential 
Members,  in  their  private  Hotels,  was  neces- 
sary, to  impress  them  with  the  reasonableness 
of  our  requests.  We  accordingly  proceeded, 
John  Marsillac,  Benjamin  &  myself,  and  met 
with  a  polite  reception  from  all  except  two, 
and  nothing  more  than  a  careless  indifference 
from  them.  One  was  Bernard,  a  young  man 
of  good  talents,  but  great  vanity  —  At  our  ap- 
proach he  offered  us  no  seats,  but  threw  him- 
self on  his  Sofa  at  great  ease,  which  we  were 
[  56  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

told  was  his  common  attitude,  when  Appli- 
cants of  much  more  consequence  than  we  were 
came  into  his  presence.  The  other  was  Tally- 
rand  —  After  endeavoring  to  impress  him  with 
the  foundation  of  our  Petition,  he  made  no 
reply,  but  let  us  pass  silently  away. 

We  generally  found  a  number  of  persons 
with  the  members  we  visited,  not  of  the  As- 
sembly, but  Applicants,  soliciting  their  interest 
for  the  different  Objects  they  were  pursuing  — 
and  the  features  of  our  Petition  always  led  to 
an  opportunity  of  opening  our  principles  at 
large,  particularly  that  respecting  War.  They 
invariably  enquired  and  listened  with  great 
attention,  and  seldom  was  any  opposition  ex- 
pressed. We  had  much  conversation  with 
Bishop  Gregory,  who  was  a  very  catholic  man, 
liberal  in  his  sentiments,  and  much  esteemed 

and  also  with  llabant  De  St  Etienne  then 

Bishop  of  Autun.  He  was  a  very  valuable  man, 

and  I  believe  was  a  blessing  to  many  over  whom 

he  presided.  He  was  one  that  fell  a  victim  to 

C      57      ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

the  Guillotine  under  the  sanguinary  Reign  of 

Robespierre He  inclined  to  converse  much 

on  non-resistance,  and  finally,  thus  summed  up 
what  he  considered  the  view  of  its  advocates, 
and  of  pure  Christianity 

"  If  an  assassin  comes,  to  take  my  life,  and  I 
conscientiously  refrain  from  taking  his  to  save 
it,  I  may  trust  some  interposition  for  my  de- 
liverance. If  however,  no  interposition  appear- 
ing, I  still  refrain  from  precipitating  a  soul 
unprepared  into  Eternity,  and  he  is  suffered 
to  effect  his  purpose  on  me,  I  may  hope  to  find 
mercy  for  myself." 

The  Object  of  our  Petition  was  of  little  con- 
sequence to  me,  whether  granted  or  not  com- 
pared with  the  opportunity  we  now  had,  of 
somewhat  spreading  the  knowledge  of  our  fun- 
damental Principles,  above  all  that  of  the  In- 
ward Light  or  Spirit  of  God  in  every  man,  as 
a  primary  Rule  of  Faith  and  Practice.  We  met 
with  a  number  of  serious  persons,  who  were  in 
great  measure  convinced  of  the  rectitude  of 
[  58  ] 


AVILLIAM      ROTCH 

our  Faith,  and  they  gathered  to  us  at  our  Hotel 
one  evening  after  another,  one  inviting  others 
to  come  with  them,  until  these  social  meetings 
in  our  apartments  became  exceedingly  inter- 
esting. The  conversation  was  almost  wholly  on 
religious  subjects,  and  they  always  appeared 
well  satisfied  with  the  hours  thus  spent. 

It  was  then  a  turbulent  time  in  Paris,  and 
much  more  so  afterwards  —  Several  of  those 
valuable  persons  fell  in  the  Reign  of  Terror, 
and  others  are  beyond  my  knowledge,  but  the 
remembrance  of  those  Evenings  and  of  the 
feeling  of  divine  influence  that  attended  them 
I  believe  will  never  pass  away. 

One  of  our  Visitors  informed  us  that  the 
Duchess  of  Bourbon  was  greatly  interested  in 
the  principles  we  profess,  and  said  if  we  wished 
to  see  her,  he  would  make  way  for  it  —  But 
Benjamin's  business  calling  him  home,  and  my 
not  speaking  the  French  Language,  we  could 
not  accept  the  proffered  interview.  We  there- 
fore returned  to  Dunkirk. 
[  69  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

In  the  course  of  the  Year  1792  fresh  trials 
awaited  us.  A  great  Insurrection  took  place  in 
Dunkirk,  founded  on  a  rumor  of  the  exporta- 
tion of  Corn  —  Several  houses  were  attacked, 
their  furniture  totally  destroyed,  and  the  fami- 
lies, among  whom  were  particular  friends  of 
ours,  but  just  escaped  with  their  lives.  At  last 
the  Military  were  called  in  aid  of  the  Civil 
Authority,  and  Fifteen  of  the  Rioters  were 
killed  before  they  were  quelled.  The  Head  of 
one  of  these  families  escaped  in  disguise,  and 
his  Wife  and  Daughters  were  secretly  con- 
veyed to  our  house  at  midnight,  whence  be- 
fore daybreak  a  friend  escorted  them  on  their 
journey  to  the  Chateau  of  her  Father  Sixty 
miles  distant.  Martial  Law  was  proclaimed, 
and  wherever  five  men  were  seen  together 
in  the  evening  and  night,  Orders  were  given 
to  fire  upon  them.  It  was  indeed  an  awful 
time. 

A  great  trial  now  assailed  us,  which  I  had 

anticipated  with  serious  apprehension 

[  60  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

That  of  an  Illumination  for  the  Victories  of  the 
French  over  the  Austrians.  The  Illumination 
was  announced  as  for  tomorrow  evening — 
Having  very  little  time  to  consider  what  could 
be  done,  Beujn  &  myself  thought  best  to  go 
immediately  to  the  Mayor  and  Magistrates 
then  assembled,  to  inform  them  that  we  could 

not  illuminate,  and  the  cause That  as  we 

could  take  no  part  in  War,  we  could  not  join 
in  rejoicings  for  Victory.  On  opening  the  sub- 
ject, they  were  much  alarmed  for  our  safety, 
and  asked  us  what  protection  they  could  afford 
us.  We  replied  "  that  is  no  part  of  our  busi- 
ness —  We  only  wish  to  place  our  refusal  on 
the  right  ground,  and  to  remove  any  apprehen- 
sion that  we  are  opposing  the  Government." 
"  Well,"  said  the  Mayor,  "keep  to  your  prin- 
ciples —  Your  houses  are  your  own  —  The 
Streets  are  ours  —  and  we  shall  pursue  such 
measures  as  we  think  proper  for  the  peace  of 
this  Town."  —  We  retired,  though  not  without 
some  fear  that  they  would  send  an  armed  force. 
[  61  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

Should  this  be  the  case,  and  any  life  be  lost  in 
endeavoring  to  protect  us,  I  thought  it  would 
be  insupportable.  However  they  took  another 
method,  and  sent  men  to  erect  a  Frame  before 
our  house,  and  three  other  houses  occupied  by 
those  of  our  Denomination,  and  hang  a  dozen 
Lamps  upon  it.  The  Mayor  had  also  the  great 
kindness  to  have  a  similar  frame  with  Lamps, 
placed  before  his  own  house,  in  addition  to  the 
usual  full  illumination ;  and  he  once,  and  the 
Magistrates  several  times  walked  by  our  house, 
to  see  if  all  remained  quiet  —  for  they  were 
under  great  apprehension.  The  evening  being 
fine,  and  great  numbers  walking  in  the  streets, 
they  generally  stopped  to  enquire  why  this 
singular  kind  of  illumination,  when  they  were 
informed  by  the  person  placed  there  by  the 
Mayor  for  this  purpose,  and  to  take  charge  of 
the  Lights.  On  his  assuring  them  that  we  were 
not  opposed  to  the  Government,  but  were  Quak- 
ers, they  went  on  their  way.  We  had  all  with- 
drawn into  a  back  parlor  where  we  spent  the  ' 
[  62  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

evening,  and  thus  passed  this  trying  occasion 
unmolested. 

A  circumstance  took  place  in  the  afternoon 
previous  to  the  illumination,  which  I  believe 
contributed  in  part  to  our  remaining  quiet.  My 
Son  was  passing  in  the  Street,  and  observed  a 
number  of  men  conversing  very  earnestly.  One 
said,  "  If  there  are  any  Aristocrats  who  do  not 
illuminate  they  will  be  destroyed."  Benjamin 
then  remarked  to  him,  that  he  hoped  that 
would  not  be  the  criterion  to  judge  Aristocrats 
by,  as  he  could  not  illuminate,  and  gave  his 
reasons.  The  man  who  had  been  so  earnest  then 
addressed  him  thus —  "I  am  glad  I  know 
your  reasons,  and  I  will  endeavor  all  in  my 

power  to  prevent  your  being  injured." 

Another  of  the  company  said,  "  Mr  Rotch,  this 
man  can  do  more  with  those  people  whom  you 
have  the  most  reason  to  fear,  than  any  man  in 

this  Town  " and  I  have  no  doubt  that  he 

used  his  influence  with  those  very  people.   Thus 

we  may  frequently  see  a  concurrence  of  circum- 

[      63      ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

stances  in  our  preservation,  which  is  by  many 

attributed  to  chance I  believe  it  is  rather 

the  watchful  care  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  how- 
ever undeserving  we  may  be. 

Another  Illumination  took  place  soon  after, 
when  the  same  course  was  pursued  towards  us 
by  the  Mayor  as  before.  A  young  man  was 
passing  our  house  late  in  the  evening,  when 
many  lights  in  the  Town  were  extinguished, 
and  saw  two  men  searching  on  the  Ground.  On 
enquiring  what  they  were  seeking,  they  said, 
"  We  are  looking  for  something  to  demolish 
these  windows  —  they  are  Aristocrats,  and  do 
not  illuminate."  He  told  them  they  must  not 
molest  us,  that  we  were  no  Aristocrats,  but 
were  Quakers,  whose  religious  principles  for- 
bade public  rejoicings  on  any  occasion,  and 
persuaded  the  men  away  —  Of  this  the  young 
man's  father  informed  us  the  next  morn- 
ing. 

The  next  Illumination  was  on  the  arrival  of 
Commissioners  sent  from  Paris  to  stir  up  the 
[  64  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

people  to  action My  Son  being  absent,  I 

requested  Louis  DeBacque  to  go  with  me  to 
the  Commissioners,  and  as  my  interpreter, 
give  our  reasons  for  taking  no  part  in  it. 

We  found  them  in  one  of  the  Forts,  and 
after  Louis  had  communicated  what  I  wished, 
the  Principal  among  them  came  to  me,  and 
taking  me  by  the  hand,  desired  we  would  do 
nothing  contrary  to  our  scruples  on  their  ac- 
count. 

After  some  further  friendly  expressions,  he 
turned  to  a  large  Body  of  people  present,  and 
thus  addressed  them  —  "  We  are  now  about 
establishing  a  Government  on  the  same  prin- 
ciples that  William  Penn  the  Quaker  estab- 
lished Pennsylvania  —  and  I  find  there  are  a 
few  Quakers  in  this  Town,  whose  religious 
principles  do  not  admit  of  any  public  rejoic- 
ings, and  I  desire  they  may  not  be  molested." 

That  same  evening  the  Commissioners  as- 
sembled the  Town  at  the  Town  House,  to  ad- 
dress them  on  their  public  affairs,  and  in  the 
[  65  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

course  of  it,  he  took  up  our  case  again,  and  as 
before,  desired  we  might  not  be  molested,  but 
protected. We  afterwards  found  that  sev- 
eral candles  had  been  stuck  around  some  pil- 
lars on  the  outside  of  our  house,  though  we 
did  not  know  it  at  the  time. 

This  must  have  been  done  by  Mechanics  in 
our  employ,  several  of  whom  on  each  of  these 
occasions,  passed  much  of  the  evening  in  walk- 
ing before  our  houses  to  see  if  there  was  any 
service  they  could  render,  and  telling  those 
who  enquired  that  we  were  Quakers  and  not 
Aristocrats. 

In  the  beginning  of  1793  I  became  fully 
aware  that  War  between  England  and  France 
would  soon  take  place.  Therefore  it  was  time 
for  me  to  leave  the  Country,  in  order  to  save 
our  Vessels  if  captured  by  the  English.  I  pro- 
ceeded to  England,  two  of  them  were  captured, 
full  of  Oil,  and  condemned,  but  we  recovered 
both  by  my  being  in  England,  where  I  arrived 
two  weeks  before  the  War  took  place. 
[  66  ] 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

My  going  to  France  to  pursue  the  Whale 
Fishery  so  disappointed  Lord  Hawksbury,  that 
he  undertook  to  be  revenged  on  me  for  his  own 
folly,  and  I  have  no  doubt  gave  directions  to 
the  Cruisers  to  take  any  of  our  Vessels  that 
they  met  with  going  to  France.  When  the 
Ospray  was  taken  by  a  King's  ship,  the  Offi- 
cer who  was  sent  on  board  to  examine  her  pa- 
pers, called  to  the  Captain,  and  said,  "  You  '11 
take  this  Vessel  in  Sir,  she  belongs  to  Mr 
Rotch." 

My  Wife  and  family  embarked  secretly 
from  Dunkirk  with  many  Americans  in  a  ship 
bound  to  America,  and  were  landed  in  Eng- 
land, where  I  had  the  great  comfort  of  re- 
ceiving them  four  months  after  I  left  them  in 
France. 

Louis  Sixteenth  was  Guillotined  two  days 
after  I  left  that  agitated  Country  —  an  event 
solemnly  anticipated,  and  deeply  deplored  by 
many  who  dared  not  manifest  what  they  felt. 

We  were  now  settled  in  London,  where  we 
C  67  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

enjoyed  the  company  of  many  old  acquaint- 
ances and  friends  until  the  summer  of  1794. 
My  Son  William  sent  the  Ship  Barclay,  David 
Swain  Master,  to  France  with  a  Cargo,  and 
ordered  her  from  thence  to  London  to  take  us 
to  America. 

We  embarked  the  24th  of  7th  month,  had  a 
long  passage  of  Sixty  One  days,  and  arrived 
in  Boston  23rd  of  9th  month  1794.  The  night 
before  our  arrival  an  awful  circumstance  took 

place  during  a  Squall  Calvin  Swain, 

Brother  of  the  Captain,  fell  from  the  main  top 
sail  yard  into  the  long  Boat,  and  was  instantly 
killed. 

We  soon  proceeded  to  New  Bedford,  and 
after  spending  a  few  days  there,  returned  to 
our  home  at  Nantucket,  finding  all  our  Chil- 
dren, and  Grandchildren  well  that  we  left 
more  than  four  years  before,  and  six  added  in 
Samuel's  and  William's  families. 

We  staid  a  Year  at  our  old  habitation,  and 
then  removed  to  New  Bedford,  where  we  have 
[  68  ] 


I     Z 


WILLIAM      ROTCH 

remained  until  now,  when  I  have  entered  on 
my  Eightieth  Year. 

Many  occurrences  I  omit  in  giving  the  fore- 
going account,  or  they  would  swell  this  scrip 
to  a  considerable  volume  —  When  I  take  a 
retrospective  view  of  this  part  of  my  life,  of 
the  dangers  to  which  I  have  been  exposed, 
and  the  numerous  preservations  I  have  wit- 
nessed, to  be  attributed  to  nothing  but  that 
Superintending  Power,  who  is  ever  ready  to 
succour  the  workmanship  of  his  holy  hand,  it 
fills  me  with  astonishment  and  admiration,  and 
seeing  my  own  unworthiness,  I  may  exclaim 
with  the  Psalmist,  "  What  is  man  that  thou 
art  mindful  of  him,  or  the  son  of  man  that 
thou  visitest  him !  " 


New  Bedford  2nd  mo  1814. 


THE    RESPECTFUL    PETITION 

OF     THE 

CHRISTIAN    SOCIETY   OF   FRIENDS 
CALLED    QUAKERS, 

DELIVERED   BEFORE    THE    NATIONAL 
ASSEMBLY, 

Thursday  Wth  February  1791. 


Respectable  Legislators : 

THE  French  Nation  having  appointed  you 
her  Legislators,  and  your  hearts  having  been 
disposed  to  enact  wise  laws,  we  solicit  the  ex- 
tension of  your  Justice  and  Benevolence  to  the 
Society  of  peaceable  Christians  to  which  we  be- 
long. 

You  know  that  in  several  States  of  Europe 

and  North  America,  there  are  a  great  number 

of  Christians  known  by  the  name  of  Quakers, 

who  profess  to  serve  God  according  to  the  an- 

[      70      ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

cient  simplicity  of  the  primitive  Christian 
Church.  Several  Towns  and  villages  of  Langue- 
doc  contain  a  number  of  families  attached  to 
this  primitive  Christianity.  Many  other  fami- 
lies, which  came  from  America,  have  settled  at 
Dunkirk,  under  the  auspices  of  the  late  Govern- 
ment, in  consequence  of  the  invitation  given  to 
the  Inhabitants  of  Nantucket,  for  the  purpose 
of  extending  the  French  Fisheries.  These  Is- 
landers have  proved  themselves  worthy  of  your 
kindness  by  their  success,  and  the  same  motive 
will  induce  them  to  continue  to  deserve  it. 
Concerns,  however,  of  far  greater  moment, 
have  this  day  brought  us  before  you. 

In  an  Age  signal  for  the  increase  of  knowl- 
edge, you  have  been  struck  with  this  truth, 
that  Conscience,  the  immediate  relation  of  man 
with  his  Creator,  cannot  be  subject  to  the 
power  of  man:  and  this  principle  of  Justice 
hath  induced  you  to  decree  a  general  liberty 
for  all  forms  of  worship.  This  is  one  of  the 
noblest  decrees  of  the  French  Legislature. 
[  71  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

You  have  set  a  great  Example  to  the  Na- 
tions which  continue  to  persecute  for  religion, 
and  sooner  or  later,  we  hope,  they  will  follow 
it. 

We  are  come  to  implore  this  spirit  of  Justice, 
that  we  may  be  suffered,  without  molestation, 
to  conform  to  some  principles,  and  to  use  some 
forms,  to  which  the  great  family  of  Friends 
called  Quakers,  have  been  inviolably  attached 
ever  since  their  rise. 

Great  persecutions  have  been  inflicted  on  us, 
on  account  of  one  of  these  principles,  but  to  no 
purpose.  Providence  hath  enabled  us  to  sur- 
mount them,  without  using  violence.  We  mean 
the  principle  which  forbids  us  to  take  arms, 
and  kill  men  on  any  pretence ;  a  principle  con- 
sistent with  the  holy  scriptures:  "render  not" 
(said  Christ)  "evil  for  evil,  but  do  good  to 
your  enemies." 

Would  to  Heaven  this  principle  were  uni- 
versally adopted!  All  mankind  becoming  one 
family,  would  be  brethren  united  by  acts  of 
[  72  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

kindness  —  Generous  Frenchmen,  you  are  con- 
vinced of  its  truth ;  you  have  already  begun 
to  reduce  it  to  practice ;  you  have  decreed 
never  to  defile  your  hands  with  blood  in  pur- 
suit of  conquest.  This  measure  brings  you, — 
it  brings  the  whole  world,  a  step  towards  uni- 
versal peace.  You  cannot  therefore  behold  with 
an  unfriendly  eye  men  who  accelerate  it  by  their 
example.  They  have  proved  in  Pennsylvania, 
that  vast  Establishments  may  be  formed,  raised, 
and  supported  without  military  preparations, 
and  without  shedding  human  blood.  We  sub- 
mit to  your  laws,  and  only  desire  the  privilege 
of  being  here,  as  in  other  Countries,  the  Breth- 
ren of  all  men  —  never  to  take  up  arms  against 
any.  England  and  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica, where  our  brethren  are  far  more  numerous 
than  in  France,  allow  us  peaceably  to  follow 
this  great  principle  of  our  religion,  nor  do  they 
esteem  us  useless  members  of  the  Community. 
We  have  another  request  to  make,  which  we 
hope  you  will  not  refuse  us ;  because  it  flows 
[  73  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

from  those  principles  of  justice  to  which  you 
do  homage.  In  our  registers  of  births,  mar- 
riages and  burials,  we  have  preserved  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  primitive  Church.  Our  maxims 
forbid  useless  forms,  and  limit  us  to  those  which 
are  necessary  for  ascertaining  the  terms  of 
human  life,  consistently  with  the  good  order 
of  Society.  We  request  that  our  simple  regis- 
ters may  be  deemed  sufficient  to  legalize  our 
marriages  and  births,  and  authenticate  our 
deaths,  by  causing  a  declaration  thereof  to  be 
made  before  a  magistrate  — 

Finally,  we  request  that  we  may  be  exempted 
from  all  Oaths,  Christ  having  expressly  for- 
bidden them  in  these  words,  "  You  have  heard 
that  it  hath  been  said  by  them  of  old  time, 
thou  shalt  perform  thine  Oaths ;  but  I  say  unto 
you  swear  not  at  all,  but  let  your  yea  be  yea, 
and  your  nay  nay." 

Wise  Legislators,  you  are  persuaded  as  well 
as  we,  that  an  Oath  is  no  assurance  of  sincer- 
ity ;  that  it  can  give  no  additional  force  to  the 
C  74  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

declaration  of  an  honest  man,  and  does  not 
deter  a  perjurer.  You  admit  that  an  Oath  is 
but  a  peculiar  way  of  making  a  declaration, 
—  as  it  were  a  peculiar  mode  of  speech.  We 
hope  therefore  you  will  not  refuse  to  hear  us 
in  ours.  It  is  that  of  our  common  Master  — 
that  of  Christ.  We  trust  that  we  shall  not  be 
suspected  of  a  wish  to  evade  the  great  pur- 
pose of  the  Civic  Oath.  We  are  earnest  to  de- 
clare in  this  place,  that  we  will  continue  true 
to  the  Constitution  which  you  have  formed; 
we  cherish  and  respect  it,  and  it  is  our  full 
purpose  to  follow  its  laws  in  all  their  purity  ; 
on  the  other  hand,  if  our  words,  if  our  evi- 
dences are  found  to  be  false,  we  willingly  sub- 
mit to  the  penalties  on  false  witnesses  and  per- 
jurers. 

Can  you,  respectable  Legislators,  hesitate  to 
grant  our  request  ?  Cast  your  eyes  on  the  his- 
tory of  our  Society,  in  the  Countries  in  which 
we  are  established.  More  than  a  Century  hath 
elapsed,  and  we  have  never  been  found  in  any 
[  75  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

Conspiracy  against  the  Government.  Our  tem- 
perate rule  of  life  forbids  ambition  and  lux- 
ury, and  the  purpose  of  our  watchful  Disci- 
pline is  to  preserve  us  in  the  practice  of  those 
manners,  to  which  we  were  led  by  the  exhor- 
tations and  example  of  our  Founder. 

We  esteem  employment  a  duty  enjoined  on 
all :  and  this  persuasion  renders  us  active  and 
industrious.  In  this  respect  therefore  our  So- 
ciety may  prove  useful  to  France.  By  favoring 
us  you  encourage  Industry.  Industry  now  seeks 
those  Countries  where  the  honest  industrious 
man  will  be  under  no  apprehensions  of  seeing 
the  produce  of  a  Century  of  labor  snatched 
away,  in  an  instant,  by  the  hand  of  persecution. 

Now  that  France  is  becoming  the  Asylum 
of  Liberty,  of  equal  law  and  of  brotherly  kind- 
ness, and  adds  to  these  sources  of  prosperity, 
perfect  liberty  for  every  individual  to  obey  the 
dictates  of  his  conscience,  in  relation  to  the 
Almighty ;  —  what  prospects  of  advantage  will 
arise  to  induce  our  Brethren  who  inhabit  less 
[  76  ] 


AVILLIAM      BOTCH 

happy  Climes,  to  settle  in  France,  a  Country 
favored  by  Nature,  as  soon  as  they  learn  that 
you  have  granted  them  the  same  civil  and  reli- 
gious liberty  which  they  enjoy  in  England  and 
the  United  States  of  America. 

Such  is  the  respectful  Petition  we  present  to 
you,  for  the  relief  of  our  Brethren  in  France, 
and  for  the  good  of  a  Country  which  we  love. 
We  hope  among  your  important  engagements 
in  reforming  this  Great  Empire,  and  multiply- 
ing the  sources  of  its  happiness,  you  will  ex- 
tend your  justice  and  regard  to  us  and  our 
Children :  it  will  bring  upon  you  the  reward 
of  the  Almighty,  and  the  love  of  virtuous  men. 


ANSWER 

OF     THE 

PRESIDENT 


QUAKERS,  who  have  fled  from  Persecutors  and 
Tyrants,  cannot  but  address  with  confidence 
those  Legislators  who  have,  for  the  first  time 
in  France,  made  the  rights  of  mankind  the 
basis  of  law.  And  France,  now  reformed, 
France  in  the  bosom  of  Peace,  (which  she  will 
always  consider  herself  bound  to  revere,  and 
which  she  wishes  to  all  other  Nations)  may 
become  another  happy  Pennsylvania. 

As  a  system  of  philanthropy,  we  admire 
your  principles.  They  remind  us  that  the 
Origin  of  every  Society  was  a  family  united  by 
its  manners,  its  affections,  and  its  wants,  and 
doubtless  those  would  certainly  be  the  most 
sublime  institutions,  which  would  renew  the 
[  78  ] 


MIKAHKAU 


W  I  L  L  I  A  M      BOTCH 

human  race,  and  bring  them  back  to  this 
primitive  and  virtuous  Original. 

The  examination  of  your  principles,  as  a 
matter  of  opinion,  no  longer  concerns  us:  we 
have  decided  on  that  point.  There  is  a  kind 
of  property  which  no  man  would  put  into  the 
common  stock :  the  motions  of  his  soul,  the 
freedom  of  his  thought.  In  this  sacred  domain, 
man  is  placed  in  a  Hierarchy  far  above  the 
social  state.  As  Citizen,  he  must  adopt  a  form 
of  Government:  —  but  as  a  thinking  Being, 
the  Universe  is  his  Country. 

As  principles  of  Religion,  your  doctrines 
will  not  be  the  subject  of  our  deliberation. 
The  relation  of  every  man  with  the  Supreme 
Being  is  independent  of  all  political  institu- 
tions. Between  God  and  the  heart  of  man  what 
Government  would  dare  to  interpose?  — 

As  civil  maxims,  your  claims  must  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  discussion  of  the  Legislative 
Body.  We  will  examine  whether  the  forms 
you  observe  in  order  to  ascertain  births  and 
[  79  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

marriages,  be  sufficient  to  authenticate  those 
descents  which  the  division  of  property  renders 
indispensable,  independently  of  good  customs. 

We  will  consider  whether  a  declaration,  sub- 
ject to  the  penalties  against  false  witnesses 
and  perjury,  be  not  in  fact  an  Oath. 

Worthy  Citizens,  you  have  already  taken 
that  civic  oath  which  every  man  deserving  of 
freedom  hath  thought  a  privilege  rather  than 
a  duty.  You  have  not  taken  God  to  witness, 
but  you  have  appealed  to  your  consciences. 
And  is  not  a  pure  conscience  a  Heaven  with- 
out a  cloud  ?  Is  not  that  part  of  man  a  ray  of 
the  Divinity  ?  — 

You  also  say  that  one  of  your  religious 
Tenets  forbids  you  to  take  up  arms,  or  to  kill, 
on  any  pretence  whatsoever.  It  is  certainly  a 
noble  philosophical  principle,  which  thus  does 
a  kind  of  homage  to  humanity.  But  consider 
well,  whether  the  defence  of  yourselves,  and 
your  equals,  be  not  also  a  religious  duty? 
You  would  otherwise  be  overpowered  by  Ty- 
[  80  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

rants !  —  Since  we  have  procured  Liberty  for 
you,  and  for  ourselves,  why  should  you  refuse 
to  preserve  it? 

Had  your  Brethren  in  Pennsylvania  been 
less  remote  from  the  savages,  would  they  have 
suffered  their  wives,  their  children,  their  par- 
ents to  be  massacred  rather  than  resist  ?  And 
are  not  stupid  Tyrants,  and  ferocious  Con- 
querors also  Savages  ?  — 

The  Assembly  will,  in  its  wisdom,  consider 
all  your  requests.  But  whenever  /  meet  a 
Quaker,  I  shall  say, 

My  Brother,  if  thou  hast  a  right  to  be  free, 
thou  hast  a  right  to  prevent  any  one  from 
making  thee  a  slave. 

As  thou  lovest  thy  fellow-creature,  suffer 
not  a  Tyrant  to  destroy  him  :  it  would  be  kill- 
ing him  thyself. 

Thou  desirest  peace  —  but  consider  —  weak- 
ness invites  War  —  General  resistance  would 
prove  an  Universal  Peace. 

The  Assembly  invites  you  to  stay  its  Sitting. 


COPY   OF 

THOMAS  JENKINS'S 
COMPLAINT. 


To  the  Honorable  the  Council,  and  the  Hon- 
orable the  House  of  Representatives,  in 
General  Court  assembled,  at  Boston, 
Novr  1779. 

Thomas  Jenkins  humbly  sheweth That 

as  a  true  and  liege  subject  of  the  State  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay,  as  well  as  from  enormous 
personal  injuries  received,  he  is  most  strongly 
urged  to  lay  the  following  representation  and 
complaint  before  the  Supreme  Legislature  of 
the  State. 

Your  petitioner  complains  of  Dr  Benjamin 
Tupper,  Timothy  Folger  Esqr,  William  Rotch, 
Samuel  Starbuck,  and  Kezia  Coffin,  all  of  the 
[      82      ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

Island  of  Nantucket,  as  persons  dangerous,  and 
inimical  to  the  freedom  and  independence  of 
this  and  the  other  United  States  of  America ; 
as  Encouragers,  Aiders  and  Abettors  of  the 
Enemy,  in  making  inroads  on  the  State  Terri- 
tories, and  depredations  on  the  property  of  the 
good  subjects  of  this  State. 

It  can  be  clearly  proved  (if  your  Honors 
should  think  fit  to  order  an  enquiry)  that  re- 
iterated attempts  have  been  made  by  some  of 
the  above  persons,  to  induce  the  Inhabitants 
of  said  Island,  to  settle  correspondence  with, 
and  openly  join  the  Enemy. 

In  particular  the  said  Timothy  Folger  ap- 
plied to  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Sher- 
bourn,  in  a  written  request,  subscribed  with  his 
own  hand,  to  call  a  Convention  of  the  Town, 
in  order  to  choose  a  Committee  to  treat  with 
the  British  Commanders  at  New  York  and 
Rhode  Island  ;  and  also  whether  it  was  expedi- 
ent for  the  Town  any  longer  to  pay  Taxes  to 
this  State  j  and  upon  the  said  application  being 
C  83  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

reprobated  by  the  Select  men  as  highly  preju- 
dicial and  inimical  to  the  honor  and  interest  of 
the  State,  said  Folger  declared  that  several  of 
the  principal  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  were 
of  his  opinion ;  and  then  insolently  told  the 
Select  men  they  deserved  to  be  damned  if  they 
refused  to  comply  with  his  proposal  — 

This  treasonable  proposition  will  be  proved 
by  the  Select  men.  That  there  was  a  private 
Correspondence  carried  on  by  some  or  all  of 
the  aforesaid  persons  with  the  Enemy  can  be 
proved  by  the  annexed  list  of  Witnesses  No  2 
—  and  that  the  Commander  of  the  predatory 
Fleet  which  came  to  Nantucket  last  spring, 
confessed  that  they  never  should  have  come 
there  on  the  design  they  executed,  had  they 
not  been  repeatedly  called  upon  and  invited 
for  the  purpose,  by  the  Friends  to  the  British 
Government,  in  the  infamous  number  of  whom 
the  persons  above  complained  of  were  notori- 
ously enrolled.  Doctor  Samuel  Gelston  will 
prove  this  confession. 

[      84      ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

That  upon  the  arrival  of  the  Renegado  Fleet 
at  the  Bar  of  the  harbor,  the  aforesaid  Rotch 
and  Folger  together  with  one  Josiah  Barker, 
(without  any  appointment  or  consent  of  the 
Town)  went  on  board  the  said  Fleet,  and  after 
tarrying  some  time,  came  on  shore  in  company 
with  several  of  the  principal  Refugee  Officers, 
and  immediately  went  to  the  said  Rotch's  house, 
where,  after  calling  in  three  or  four  other  men 
of  the  same  inimical  character  with  themselves, 
a  long  consultation  was  held. 

In  about  an  hour  the  Council  broke  up,  and 
one  of  the  said  Officers  with  a  number  of  his 
people  proceeded  immediately  to  some  Ware 
houses  of  your  Complainant,  and  robbed  him  of 
—  260  barrels  of  Sperm  Oil,  1800  Ibs  of  Whale 
Bone,  2300  wt.  of  Iron,  1200  Ibs  of  Coffee, 
20,000  wt  of  Tobacco,  and  a  number  of  smaller 
articles,  all  which  they  carried  off,  together  with 
a  Brig,  one  moiety  of  which  he  owned,  to  the 
loss  of  your  Complainant,  Twenty  five  hundred 
Guineas  at  least.  —  This  property  was  pointed 
[  86  ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

out  to  them  by  the  said  Dr  Tupper  and  Kezia 

Coffin. That  other  effects  of    the  true 

and  liege  subjects  of  this  State  were  partic- 
ularly pointed  out  to  the  Enemy  for  plunder, 
by  some  of  the  persons  above  complained  of, 
and  especially  by  said  Starbuck,  can  be  amply 
proved. 

Your  Complainant  begs  leave  further 

to  add,  that  after  the  Enemy  had  got  possession 
of  his  Brig  above  mentioned,  frightened  with 
a  false  alarm,  they  precipitately  left  the  harbor, 
and  the  said  Brig  behind  them,  with  only  five 
men  in  her ;  upon  which  some  of  the  well  dis- 
posed Inhabitants  proposed  securing  her,  which 
might  with  ease  have  been  effected ;  but  the 
said  Folger  and  Rotch  with  some  others  of  the 
same  complexion  and  sentiments  interposed  and 
dissuaded,  and  opposed  the  intention  of  the 
people ;  by  means  of  which  the  said  Brig  and 
Cargo  were  finally  carried  off,  after  a  Pilot  was 
procured  by  the  Enemy,  who  was  induced  to  take 
charge  of  the  vessel  by  the  advice  of  the  afore- 
[  86  ] 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 

said  William  Rotch. To  put  the  inimical 

and  treasonable  sentiments  and  designs  of  the 
said  Dr  Tupper  beyond  all  dispute,  after  he 
had  returned  from  New  York,  with  said  Star- 
buck  and  Rotch,  where  they  had  gone  on  an  ille- 
gal and  dangerous  errand,  upon  a  Town  Meeting 
being  convened,  said  Tupper  after  having 
menaced  and  abused  all  those  persons,  who 
had  been  opposed  to  the  said  Triumvirate  going 
to  New  York,  moved  that  a  Committee  should 
be  chosen,  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  that  the 
King's  servants,  meaning  the  adherents  and 
officers  of  the  British  King,  should  receive 
suitable  respect  and  protection  and  be  kindly 
used,  and  that  all  refractory  persons,  (mean- 
ing such  liege  subjects  of  this  State  as  were  op- 
posed to  their  traitorous  proceedings)  should 
be  apprehended  and  sent  where  they  would 
meet  their  punishment. 

Innumerable  other   instances  of  the  most 
dangerous  and  illegal  conduct  in  some  or  all 
the  persons  now  complained  of  can  be  pro- 
[      87      ] 


MEMORANDUM      BY 

duced,  should  your  Honors  think  fit  to  order 
an  enquiry  to  be  made ;  which  your  Petitioner 
and  Complainant  humbly  prays  may  be  or- 
dered, as  well  for  the  public  interest,  as  that 
some  reparation  may  be  made  him,  and  his 
other  suffering  brethren,  who  have  sustained 
very  heavy  losses,  by  the  cruel  and  treasonable 
management  of  those  people;  and  that  such 
Order  may  issue  from  your  Honors  as  shall 
compel  the  persons  charged  as  above,  to  answer 
to  these  Articles  of  complaint,  and  that  sum- 
monses may  be  granted  for  the  Witnesses 
whose  names  are  herewith  handed  to  your 
Honors,  to  attend  at  such  time  as  your  Honors 
shall  order  the  enquiry  to  be  made. 

And  your  Petitioner  as  in  duty  bound  shall 
ever  pray.  — 

(Signed)        THOMAS  JENKINS. 

a  true  Copy 
Attest  John  Averj  DC.J. 


WILLIAM      BOTCH 


Witnesses  to  the  several  Charges  vizt. 
JOHN  WATERMAN      MARSHALL  JENKINS 

(M  Vineyd) 
BENJN  HUSSET 
STEPHEN  HUSSET 


BENJN  FOLOER 
WALTER  FOLGER 
SHUBAEL  BARNARD 
PETER  MACY 
EBENEZER  COFFIN 


SETH  JENKINS 
SHUBAEL  WORTH 


DOCR  SAMUEL  GELS-     STEPHEN  FISH 


TON 
TIMOTHY  FITCH 

(Medford) 
SHUBAEL  DOWNS 

(Walpole) 


PAUL  PINKHAM 
WILLIAM  HAMMETT 
JOHN  RAMSOLE 
GEORGE  HUSSEY  2ND 
FRANCIS  CHASE 
COPY 


A     000093123     8 


